A local MSP is doing a health check-up on Brechiners following changes to the running of the town’s health centre.
In a bid to take the pulse of the community, Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Evans has posted out a survey to every home in the Brechin and Edzell DD9 postcode area seeking views on NHS Tayside’s restructure of local services.
Following a period of uncertainty and staff recruitment difficulties, the health centre has been restructured to employ three salaried GPs, locum doctors, a part-time physiotherapist, part-time mental health nurse, minor injuries nurses and pharmacist, as well as a representative from Voluntary Action Angus.
At the height of the staffing problems last summer, patients were urged not to attend the walk-in surgery at the centre unless they required attention that day.
Health chiefs said at the time the Brechin situation was part of a nationwide GP recruitment and retention issue.
NHS Tayside has said the changes to bring multiple services under one roof should make them more accessible but the MSP wants to ascertain if that is the case.
Ms Evans said: “There have been a number of changes in the way Brechin Health Centre has been run over the past year and I would like to get a greater understanding of how this is impacting on patients.
“I want to know if the people of Brechin and Edzell understand the changes and if they are happy or unhappy with the level of service they currently receive.
“Are they aware of the new services that the multi-disciplinary team offer? Are they still struggling to get appointments to see a GP, or has the situation improved?
“If they have concerns over the level of service being provided at Brechin Health Centre, do they know who to contact?”
She added: “My survey is being delivered to every home in the DD9 postcode and I’m hoping as many people as possible will respond to it.
“This is far from a tick-box exercise,” she commented.
“I believe it’s the most widespread survey done on our health centre in Brechin and I want to hear the genuine views of the local people – be they concerns, criticisms or compliments.”
The 12-question survey can be dropped off at Brechin Access Centre or posted to the MSP’s constituency office at 8 Grampian Park, Forfar, DD8 1DD.”
