A packed public meeting in Errol Village Hall saw around 150 Carse of Gowrie residents voice their strong opposition to the potential closure of Carse Medical Practice. The meeting, overflowing with concerned patients, highlighted the crucial role the surgery plays in the community and the significant challenges its closure would present.
The potential closure stems from the impending retirement of the practice’s two GPs and the ongoing difficulty in recruiting replacements. With the doctors planning to terminate their contract with NHS Tayside in September, the health authority and the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership are working against the clock to find a solution. Attendees were assured that all available options are being actively pursued to maintain GP services in the area. Exploring Every Avenue
Several options were outlined at the meeting. One possibility is for NHS Tayside to directly manage the practice, creating what is known as a “2C surgery.” While such surgeries exist in Dundee and Angus, there are currently none operating in Perth and Kinross. The meeting also explored the possibility of an existing practice expanding its coverage to include the Carse of Gowrie. Additionally, a tender for the Carse Medical Practice contract was advertised on the same day as the meeting, signaling a proactive approach to finding a new provider. Dr. David Shaw, representing NHS Tayside, emphasized the health authority’s willingness to “poach” GPs from other areas to ensure the Carse of Gowrie retains vital GP services. Transportation and Healthcare Access a Major Concern
The potential closure has raised significant concerns about access to healthcare, particularly for residents in more remote areas of the Carse of Gowrie. With limited or non-existent public transport in some communities, accessing alternative surgeries in Perth or Dundee would be a significant hardship. One resident from Rait highlighted the limited bus service in their community, underscoring the importance of the local surgery. This challenge was echoed by other attendees, many of whom expressed anxiety about the disruption and inconvenience the closure would cause. A GP present at the meeting pointed out that displacing 3,600 patients would also place considerable strain on other practices in Perth and Dundee. The closure of the Invergowrie surgery in 2023 already left the Carse of Gowrie with only one remaining practice, making the situation even more precarious. If Carse Medical Practice were to close, a population of 10,000 would be left without local GP services. Seven Years Without a Permanent Home
Adding to the current concerns is the fact that Carse Medical Practice has been operating from a temporary facility in a field near Errol since 2018, after having to vacate its previous premises in the village. The ongoing struggle to find a suitable permanent location for the practice over the past seven years has raised questions about NHS Tayside’s ability to find a solution within the next five months. This history adds to the community’s anxiety, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action. The meeting was chaired by local councillors, demonstrating cross-party support for the community’s fight to retain GP services. They emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between residents, councillors, and NHS officials to reach a positive outcome.
The potential closure stems from the impending retirement of the practice’s two GPs and the ongoing difficulty in recruiting replacements. With the doctors planning to terminate their contract with NHS Tayside in September, the health authority and the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership are working against the clock to find a solution. Attendees were assured that all available options are being actively pursued to maintain GP services in the area. Exploring Every Avenue
Several options were outlined at the meeting. One possibility is for NHS Tayside to directly manage the practice, creating what is known as a “2C surgery.” While such surgeries exist in Dundee and Angus, there are currently none operating in Perth and Kinross. The meeting also explored the possibility of an existing practice expanding its coverage to include the Carse of Gowrie. Additionally, a tender for the Carse Medical Practice contract was advertised on the same day as the meeting, signaling a proactive approach to finding a new provider. Dr. David Shaw, representing NHS Tayside, emphasized the health authority’s willingness to “poach” GPs from other areas to ensure the Carse of Gowrie retains vital GP services. Transportation and Healthcare Access a Major Concern
The potential closure has raised significant concerns about access to healthcare, particularly for residents in more remote areas of the Carse of Gowrie. With limited or non-existent public transport in some communities, accessing alternative surgeries in Perth or Dundee would be a significant hardship. One resident from Rait highlighted the limited bus service in their community, underscoring the importance of the local surgery. This challenge was echoed by other attendees, many of whom expressed anxiety about the disruption and inconvenience the closure would cause. A GP present at the meeting pointed out that displacing 3,600 patients would also place considerable strain on other practices in Perth and Dundee. The closure of the Invergowrie surgery in 2023 already left the Carse of Gowrie with only one remaining practice, making the situation even more precarious. If Carse Medical Practice were to close, a population of 10,000 would be left without local GP services. Seven Years Without a Permanent Home
Adding to the current concerns is the fact that Carse Medical Practice has been operating from a temporary facility in a field near Errol since 2018, after having to vacate its previous premises in the village. The ongoing struggle to find a suitable permanent location for the practice over the past seven years has raised questions about NHS Tayside’s ability to find a solution within the next five months. This history adds to the community’s anxiety, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action. The meeting was chaired by local councillors, demonstrating cross-party support for the community’s fight to retain GP services. They emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between residents, councillors, and NHS officials to reach a positive outcome.