Patients normally attending a Rothes medical practice who feared they may need to travel to Elgin for treatment following the retirement of local doctors have been reassured that would not be the case.
The GP at the Rothes Medical Centre, Dr Norman Johnston, is to retire after 27 years service on Monday. His wife Anne, who has also worked as practice manager, will also retire.
That prompted fears amongst patients that they may need to attend a centre outwith the town, however, in a statement today Grampian NHS confirmed that the High Street premises would continue as a branch of the Maryhill Medical Practice in Elgin.
Members of the Rothes clinical and administrative team will continue to work at the Rothes premises with GP cover being provided by the Maryhill practice led by Dr Sarah Packham.
Practice manager at Maryhill, Eileen Rae, said: “The Maryhill Practice is pleased to announce this partnership between The Maryhill Practice and the Rothes Medical Centre.
“This will ensure patients living in Rothes area will still receive medical services in their location. A great deal of work is being carried out to ensure that the merger of Maryhill and Rothes can be achieved by 1st April 2014.
“The time scales for this process have been extremely short but we are hopeful the merger can be achieved and would ask for the understanding and patience of the Rothes patients.
“We would like to thank George McLean of the Moray Community Health & Social Care Partnership for his support in this process.
The Rothes patient group members have been fully informed of the changes throughout the process and welcome the continued provision of general medical services in Rothes.
“We would also like to thank Dr Johnston and Anne for their many years of service and wish both of them well in retirement.”