A SPEYSIDE COMMUNITY is in real danger of being left without a local GP as recruitment to the region continues to pose major problems for NHS Grampian.
The practice GP at Glenlivet’s Drumin surgery is set to retire – and people in the area are becoming increasingly concerned as the hunt for a replacement has so far failed to produce one.
Residents held a meeting last week with NHS Grampian officials to learn more about progress in providing a GP – but few emerged from that cheered by what they had heard.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, who met with the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian yesterday, said that he had been in touch with members of the community who had raised the issue.
He said: “There are well-known pressures facing rural GP services – but it is vital that NHS Grampian makes every effort to advertise the vacancy and recruit a successor as quickly as possible.
“Patients at the Glenlivet surgery absolutely deserve a continuation of the existing level of service and I’m urging the authorities to pull out the stops and avoid uncertainty.”
Residents also met recently with Pam Gowans, the chief officer of Moray Health and Social Care, who said she welcome the chance to speak with concerned residents, adding: “A number of useful suggestions came from this meeting and we are exploring these further.”