Residents in a Perthshire village have been told their GP surgery is facing closure, leaving them with a 12-mile round trip to see a doctor.
A letter went out to patients registered with the Methven surgery this morning, alerting them to the proposed changes.
Methven is a branch surgery for the Victoria Practice in Perth.
The plan is to transfer all services to the practice’s main premises in Glover Street, Perth.
It comes four years after residents were assured there were no plans to close the Methven surgery.
Bosses at the Victoria Practice say the national GPs shortage is partly to blame for the move.
“One of our GPs has recently retired, and recruitment of a replacement is proving difficult because of GP shortages,” the letter says.
“The closure of the GP practice in Bridge of Earn has also meant our catchment area has increased because of patient dispersal and we have seen an increased demand for appointments.”
They say “unprecedented and difficult circumstances associated with the Covid-19 pandemic” have also played a part in the decision.
Methven surgery loss is for ‘patient safety’
The Victoria Practice has applied to NHS Tayside Primary Care Services for approval to close the Methven surgery.
It is now working with the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to gather views on the proposal.
This ‘engagement period’ will run from Monday August 7 to Monday September 4.
A decision is not likely before the end of this year.
The letter goes on: “We realise that there are some patients in the Methven area who are housebound, and we would like to reassure you that GP and Advanced Nurse Practitioner house visiting will not be impacted by these proposed changes.
“The proposed loss of the branch surgery at Methven is regrettable, but we believe it to be the only viable, safe and sustainable option for our practice and for the safety of all our patients, both in Methven and Perth.”
‘No plan’ to close surgery in 2019
The fate of the Methven surgery was discussed at a public meeting in the village in November 2019.
The centre had been closing frequently at the time, due to staff shortages.
Around 50 people attended the session called by Methven and District Community Council.
They were told then that the practice manager had given a commitment that there was no plan to close the surgery.
Conservative MSP Liz Smith also attended the meeting, and said she had been told there were “robust procedures” in place to ensure it stayed open.
The surgery serves patients from Almondbank and Pitcairngreen, as well as Methven.
Feeback sought on Methven surgery move
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside Primary Care Services said Victoria Practice had notified it of its application to vary its contract and close the branch surgery in Methven.
“The branch surgery temporarily transferred all services from the Methven branch surgery to Victoria Practice in March 2020 until September 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson added.
“This meant that all services were provided at Victoria Practice during this period.
“As a result of ongoing recruitment challenges and concerns about the suitability of the branch surgery, the GP practice is now proposing to reinstate this arrangement and close the Methven branch surgery on a permanent basis with the transfer of all services to Victoria Practice.”
A letter and frequently asked questions document has been sent by the practice to all patients who have attended the Methven branch surgery over the past five years.
Comment boxes will also be placed at a number of locations so people can give feedback between now and September 4.
