NHS Highland to take over running of Alness and Invergordon Medical Practice in Easter Ross as MSP flags concerns over 'desperate' situation
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NHS Highland says the health board will take over the responsibility for running Alness and Invergordon Medical Practice from the beginning of April next year.
It says it will be working closely with the practice over the coming months to ensure an effective transfer of responsibility.
It follows a recruitment crisis flagged earlier this year at the Easter Ross practice which has been struggling to fill posts – and has prompted concern from MSP Rhoda Grant over the "desperate situation" facing many GP practices.
NHS Highland said in a statement: "A detailed action plan is now being agreed between the practice and NHS Highland to ensure services continue during this transitional period."
Jill Mitchell, NHS Highland’s head of primary care for North Highland, said: “Following the resignation of three GP partners earlier this year, the practice has unfortunately been unable to stabilise staffing. The partners have made the difficult decision to formally serve notice to NHS Highland of their intention to hand back their contract effective from March 31, 2022.
“From April 1, 2022, NHS Highland will take responsibility for running the practice and patient care. Service delivery will remain unchanged during this transitional period.”
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant said: “We need to know how this staff shortage is affecting patient care and the vaccine roll-out in Alness and Invergordon in the light of these resignations.
“This is a desperate situation and highlights the worrying issues surrounding GP practices in many parts of our region.
“While it is good to know that NHS Highland is working on a detailed plan with this practice in the interim, patients still need the best of care and this has to be protected.
“The Scottish Government needs to get a grip on the situation with GPs under increasing pressure due to the pandemic and backlog of non-Covid illnesses.”
In September, the patience appealed for patience as it revealed that it was set to lose three partners within the next six months.
It said it was actively looking for new partners to join.
NHS Highland said then: "There is a national shortage of trained GPs which is placing a strain on many GP practices throughout the country. GP recruitment is considered one of the biggest pressures in primary care services and workforce shortages have increased since the pandemic."
Easter Ross medical practice is facing recruitment headache
