THURSDAY ,25 JUNE, 2020

For immediate release

Abbey Practice in Arbroath set to become NHS Tayside-run practice

The Abbey Practice in Arbroath is to become an NHS Tayside-run GP practice, with support from local GPs, from 1 August 2020.

In January 2020, The Abbey Practice advised NHS Tayside that it would be handing back its contract to deliver GP services on July 31 2020. Since then, the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and NHS Tayside have been working together, alongside local GPs, to develop a model which would ensure primary care services can continue to be delivered to the patients of The Abbey Practice from July 31.

A number of possible options were identified, and following an options appraisal, the Angus Integration Joint Board, made a recommendation to NHS Tayside of a preferred option which would see the transfer of The Abbey Practice to an NHS Tayside run 2c practice, supported by additional medical sessions provided by other local GP practices. This recommendation has been accepted by NHS Tayside.

The Board owns the Abbey Health Centre from which the practice operates and therefore there will be no change to how patients access GP and other primary care services.

Interim Chief Officer of the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, Gail Smith, said, “The Abbey Practice is well established GP practice in Arbroath with a dedicated team of healthcare professionals.

“This new model will allow the South East Angus GPs to support, develop and establish new ways of working and will improve patient pathways for the whole population of Arbroath.

“NHS Tayside has written to all patients of The Abbey Practice to inform them of the new arrangements, however patients should be assured that they do not have to do anything. They will continue to access services via The Abbey Practice.”

Councillor Lois Speed, Chair of Angus Integration Joint Board, said, “I appreciate that this has been a challenging time for both patients and staff of The Abbey Practice and I would like to thank everyone for their patience. I am really pleased that we’ve reached a conclusion.”

Background

• As with the majority of GP practices in Scotland, The Abbey Practice experienced GP recruitment challenges and therefore the GPs took the decision back in January 2020 to hand back their GP contract.

• Since then Angus HSCP, NHS Tayside and other local GPs have been working together to find a solution for the Abbey Practice.

• The decision to transfer the practice to a 2c NHS Tayside practice, with support from local GPs, means that GP and primary care services will continue to be delivered at Abbey Health Centre.

• The Angus HSCP will now lead a programme of work looking at the provision of General Medical Services to the Arbroath population.

• This will be in partnership with GPs and the wider primary care team, patients, carers, communities and other stakeholders, to ensure the ongoing development of primary care and GP services in the town.

Contact:

Cara Longmuir

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740716