NHS Tayside has been slammed for trying to blame doctors for the closure of a Perthshire GP practice.
In correspondence seen by The Courier, doctors at the stricken Bridge of Earn Surgery claim the health board gave them only eight days’ notice the practice was to close.
A doctor was allegedly told off by a senior member of the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership for wasting their time, after they had gone to a local MSP with concerns.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith called the current situation “grossly unfair” for the doctors and staff involved, as well as the patients.
Some staff at the medical centre have worked in their profession for almost four decades, and doctors remaining at the centre will be responsible for paying the appropriate notice period – with them likely having to take out loans to do so.
The health board has also been accused of misleading doctors and staff at Bridge of Earn about £1 million it said had been set-aside for a new practice building, money which has not materialised.
Further claims from doctors include the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership being responsible for advertising for salaried roles in the practice to cover the gaps. These adverts are alleged to have never been placed.
Ms Smith said: “The contents of the email presented to The Courier raises only more questions than answers and it will undoubtedly cause even greater anxiety for patients.
“The implication is that NHS Tayside believes the current situation in Bridge of Earn is the fault of the two GPs which, from the information we have been given, is grossly unfair.
“I remain angered and frustrated by the lack of transparency in this whole matter and l have no doubt the vast majority of Bridge of Earn residents agree with me. That was certainly the very strong feeling at last night’s meeting.”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “The practice terminated its contract with NHS Tayside with an end date of August 30 2019.
“Senior doctors from Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Tayside had been trying to find a way forward in terms of securing a sustainable medical workforce to be able to continue to deliver services in the area.
“We were working very hard to explore all alternative options for maintaining safe and sustainable GP services in the Earn area.
“Despite everyone’s best efforts, all the potential solutions needed secure, permanent GP cover which is critical in providing safe and sustainable services and, unfortunately, it has not been possible to identify the required medical workforce.”
The health board added a “hub” plan had been proposed for a new GP centre, and potential police and third-sector bodies to use in 2011.
“From 2011 to 2013 there was initial design and business case development, however, over the course of design development, the number of participants reduced to only NHS Tayside and the GP practice.
“When the number of partners reduced, this also reduced the viability and sustainability of the service.
“In 2016, having been carried forward for a number of years, the project was withdrawn as being unviable.”
Any new premises “business case” for services would be considered in future, NHS Tayside added.
