Discussions between GPs and health chiefs have resulted in an increase in opening hours at Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Practice .
It is the latest move in the ongoing wrangle over the proposed withdrawal by NHS Forth Valley of £100,000 of funding for a salaried GP who worked alongside the other two doctors at the practice.
However, a decision by the board to postpone a public meeting to further discuss the matter has been slammed.
At public meeting, held in Aberfoyle on September 6, NHS Forth Valley chief executive Cathie Cowan said they were still looking at how the money could best be used to the benefit of all practices in West Stirlingshire, including the Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Centre.
She promised to return to Aberfoyle on November 1 to up-date villagers on the outcome of dicussions between health officials and the practice’s partners Shionagh Morrison and Andrew Cox. The meeting will not now take place on that date.
Following the loss of salaried GP Dr Iain Henderson weekly surgery sessions at Aberfoyle were cut from five to three .
Friends of Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Medical Practice represents its 2500 patients.
They insist a third GP is needed because of the large area, poor transport links and number of isolated communities covered by the practice.
A spokesperson for the health board told the Observer yesterday (Thursday) they had notified Strathard Community Council, organisers of the November 1 meeting, of their intention to postpone it.
The move was aimed at allowing changes , agreed between doctors and health chiefs, to take effect.
The spokesperson added: “We have been working closely with the practice over the last few months.
“The chief executive and a number of senior colleagues met again with Dr Cox and Dr Morrison on October 12. This was a very productive meeting and both parties are committed to continuing to work together to identify solutions which will support the sustainability of local services.
“The practice also announced at the meeting that it had made the decision to increase the number of sessions and opening hours in Aberfoyle, having carefully monitored and reviewed the provision of medical services over the last few weeks.
“The Aberfoyle centre will now be open on Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning and Friday morning.
“The practice is also introducing an evening surgery in Aberfoyle Surgery on alternate Wednesdays and is reintroducing the Well Woman Clinic.
“This will run alongside other services the practice currently provides including minor surgery, joint injections and the insertion and removal of contraceptive implants.
“These changes will take effect from Monday, October 22. The practice plans to review these new arrangements over the coming weeks and also work with the local GP cluster and the health board to explore any additional opportunities to develop services in Aberfoyle.
The surgery changes will take effect from Monday and will be reviewed over the coming weeks.
Work with nearby GP surgeries and the board to explore “any additional opportunities to develop services in Aberfoyle” are to continue.
The spokesperson added: “The practice and the health board therefore plan to postpone a follow up public meeting until later in the year to allow time for joint work to continue and enable a more detailed update on future plans and potential service developments to be shared at a future community council meeting.
Friends chairman Gerry McGarvey, who this week attacked the health board for failing to change its stance on GP provision at Aberfoyle, was angry over the decision to push back the date of the meeting.
He said: “While everyone welcomes the additional times during which patients can access primary health care in Aberfoyle, I am disappointed that the meeting on November 1 is postponed.
“Aberfoyle Medical Centre’s opening times and the issue of the withdrawal of the GP salary are two separate issues, and simply kicking the matter into the long grass is unacceptable.
“The provision of appropriate health care is not a private matter, but a public one requiring the public health body to be accountable to those whom it purports to serve.
“The communities affected deserve the opportunity to hear first hand the on-going plans for addressing the proposals arising as a result of the withdrawal of funding for the salaried GP, as Ms Cowan publicly committed herself to doing.”
Trossachs and Teith Tory councillor Martin Earl was also unhappy about the decision to re-arrange the meeting
“There was a clear commitment given that a follow-up meeting would be held and trying to put it off until later in the year is not on,” he added.
“I expect NHS FV to be there on November 1 as they said they would be.
“The situation at the surgery is far from resolved and they are avoiding talking to the people in the area about something vitally important to them.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford added: “It is positive news that the GP practice will now operate with extended hours.
“I will remain engaged with NHS Forth Valley, who I understand are continuing to assess the distribution of GP support provision in the area.”
