Brechin Medical Practice Update

WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brechin Medical Practice Update

The current GP partners at the practice are dissolving the partnership and have asked NHS Tayside to support them to deliver GP services from 1 October 2015.

Two GPs have recently left the practice and, due to a national GP shortage, there have been difficulties in recruiting replacements. NHS Tayside will take over responsibility for running the practice from the beginning of October.

Dr Michelle Watts, Associate Medical Director, Primary Care Services for NHS Tayside, said, “We would like to reassure the people of Brechin that our absolute priority is to continue to provide primary care services for the local population.

“Work is already underway to recruit a team of salaried GPs for Brechin who will be employed by NHS Tayside and will work with the existing team from the Brechin premises.

“We aim to continue to deliver a range of healthcare services from the practice and we will do our very best to ensure continuity of care for all patients.

“Patients will remain registered with Brechin Medical Practice after 1 October 2015 and there is no need for them to take any further action. Patients will continue to access GP and primary care services at the practice as they do now.”

Fiona Robertson, Practice Manager, said, “We recently introduced a new appointment system to help patients access our services whilst we undergo this period of change.

“We now operate an open access surgery between 8.30 - 10.30am where patients can attend to be seen by a GP or a Nurse Practitioner on a 'come and wait' basis without the need to call to make an appointment.

“The system is working well and has reduced the number of appointments wasted due to patients not attending. We will continue to monitor progress and will amend the system where appropriate.

“We welcome feedback and any of our patients who would like to get more involved in informing future developments in healthcare provision within Brechin should contact me at the practice for further information.”

Dr Watts continued, “We will also take the opportunity to look at new ways of delivering care to the locality including the development of named multi-professional teams working in the community to support people with health needs.

“This community-based model of care for elderly patients involves a variety of health professionals including consultants, pharmacists, physiotherapists and nurses working together as a single team in partnership with social care and voluntary sector colleagues to support individual patients.

“The team aims to provide care and support in the patient’s own home which is where the majority of patients tell us they prefer to be treated and, where possible, avoid hospital admission.

“This model is working well in South Angus and Perthshire, and most importantly has been very much welcomed by patients, their carers and the teams who work with them. I'm sure this model could also be successful in Brechin where there is already a strong community spirit and a dedicated team of professionals.

 

“This new model allows us to work in a more effective way and will make a real difference to patients and their families and we are really looking forward to working with the community and the team in Brechin over the coming months.”

Contact:

Gaynyr Dickson

NHS Tayside Communications

01382 740716

gaynyr.dickson@nhs.net

19 August 2015