By Graeme Strachan

A DUNDEE surgery has been saved from closure following a move by NHS Tayside to assume direct responsibility for providing health care services in Whitfield.

Dr Mani Raj is stepping down from Whitfield Medical Centre in April after 24 years’ service, alleging he had suffered years of abuse from some people in the scheme.

Dr Raj announced his early retirement from Whitfield Health Centre in October and his resignation caused uproar in the area, with councillors worried about the future of the centre organising a petition which has been handed in to NHS Tayside.

After consulting representatives and NHS Tayside, Dr Raj (63) agreed to defer his resignation date to April while a decision was made over the future of the practice.

The practice has around 1000 people on its patient list.

Dr Andrew Russell, director of primary care at NHS Tayside, yesterday said the surgery would be retained after looking to the community for their suggestions.

He also reassured residents they will have a service equal to the provision currently provided.

“What we are going to do is put in place a three-year contract where NHS Tayside assumes direct responsibility for providing services,” he said.

“We have a number of established practices that are interested in this type of contract and we hope to make a decision by the end of March.

“This approach will allow us to retain the current level of service and also allow us to establish the future needs for the Whitfield area with the help of the local people.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr Raj, who started this practice in 1985 and has made an extremely valuable contribution to the healthcare of the people of Whitfield.”

NHS Tayside representatives were at the surgery yesterday to hear the views of Whitfield residents on the future of health care services to be provided in the community.

Around 30 people turned up to the drop-in session, which Dr Russell described as a very positive response.

“It’s clear from what we’ve heard this afternoon that this service is very important to the community and we appreciate hearing their comments first-hand,” he said.

“We know that over the next three years there are going to be major changes in the Whitfield area, with 700 to 900 new homes being built, so we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our local authority colleagues and be part of the regeneration.”