By Graham Huband

NHS TAYSIDE last night said the 200 patients being removed from the register at a Broughty Ferry doctor’s surgery will be accommodated elsewhere.

It emerged last month that Grove Health Centre had decided to remove patients from its list who did not live within the practice’s “agreed” boundaries.

The move—which was sanctioned by the practice partners after a review of the centre’s patient roll—caused uproar among those who were being de-listed and left to find a place with a new surgery.

Several patients contacted The Courier about the situation and others took their concerns directly to Dundee East MSP and Scottish public health minister, Shona Robison.

However, despite Ms Robison’s intervention—and the fact the British Medical Association believe the removal of patients from a GP’s list should only be an “exceptional and rare” occurrence—the patient removal operation seem to be going ahead.

Susan Ross, NHS Tayside general manager of primary care services, said last night, “We would like to reassure patients that they are able to register with another practice, and they have been contacted to be advised of this.

“Anyone who would like further information or advice on registering with a GP practice should contact Practitioner Services on 0845 3001654.”

Ms Robison said last night she understood the “frustration” of the affected patients and had written to them all in a bid to reassure them.

She said, “While I can understand the frustration of patients, the most important thing to stress here is that they have the right to apply directly to join the list of another local practice.

“I would urge everyone in this situation to make arrangements as soon as possible and help is available from NHS Tayside if required.

“The reason for these removals is a decision by the practice to only take patients from within its practice boundary, which was defined in 2004.

“Demand from within this boundary has been high and the practice has a duty to accommodate people.

“Unfortunately, this has meant people who registered before 2004 and who live outside the practice boundary can no longer be treated at the Grove Health Centre.

“NHS Tayside have assured me that nearby practices are happy to take those patients removed from the Grove list.”