Community leaders in Brechin have hit out at NHS Tayside for not consulting about the closure of its GP ward at Brechin Infirmary.
The health board made the shock announcement on Tuesday, despite making assurances about the Infirmary Street site as recently as last week.Dr Michelle Watts, associate medical director for primary care for NHS Tayside, said the closure was a result of there being a lack of GPs.NHS Tayside took over the management of Brechin Health Centre last Thursday after it had difficulties recruiting doctors.However, the organisation said the staffing demands of the surgery means that it now does not have enough GPs to also keep the ward at Brechin Infirmary open. Patients who would have been admitted to the infirmary will now be sent to Stracathro Hospital.The ward closed last Wednesday due to there being no patients, but assurances were made that the staff would return when required.Councillor Bob Myles lquestioned the way the closure has been handled.He said: “I don’t know why NHS Tayside haven’t been honest and up front about this.“It is well used and it will be missed, especially by the elderly who might struggle to arrange transport to visit loved ones elsewhere.” Rumours about the future of Brechin Infirmary started last month when it emerged just three patients were at the hospital.NHS Tayside responded to claims by a whistleblower with links to the hospital that GPs had been told to stop admitting patients by giving an assurance that the hospital “continues to operate”.Derek Harper, the former convener of the City of Brechin and District Community Council, said he was angry they had not been consulted about the move.He said: “It’s disappointing that as a statutory body within the community, whose role it to engage with the community, NHS Tayside didn’t have the courtesy to contact the community council.“It seems to be that they have done this without any consultation with the community they say they serve.”The minor injuries and illness unit, which itself recently reduced its hours, will remain in operation at the infirmary.