Patients at a Dundee GP are looking to find a new doctor after being told they could face a miles-long trip across the city if plans to merge two practices go ahead.
Operator Family Medical Group wants to merge Wallacetown Health Centre in Stobswell with Douglas Medical Centre, closing the Lyon Street facility and moving staff.
They claim it would help to provide a “more effective service” and improve phone access, but patients say it’s a “nightmare”.
Opened in 1978, the Wallacetown practice has 9,407 registered patients – making it one of the largest GP surgeries in the city.
Seven doctors are currently listed as working at the practice.
If closed, those seeing their GP would instead have to travel by car, bus or taxi to the Douglas surgery or attempt to register with another practice closer to home.
Family Medical Group held drop-in sessions on Thursday and Friday and patients have until midnight on Sunday to have their say via an online survey.
‘It’s a total nightmare’
Rose Cleary, 76, told The Courier she would need to get two buses from her home in Ardler to see her doctor, if the plans go ahead.
The pensioner, who has been registered with Wallacetown since it opened, attended the engagement event on Thursday to share her concerns.
She said: “I would require two buses to attend Douglas surgery – it’s a total nightmare.
“I’m hoping to try to get into a different GP.
“I’ve been going to Wallacetown since it opened so it would make me sad.
“I’m finding it very hard, I have a lot of medical symptoms and I now need to repeat them to another doctor.
“But I’m not the only patient in that situation.”
She is also concerned about her daughter and grandchildren, who are all registered at the same surgery.
She said: “My daughter’s got three children who all have medical problems. I’m worried other surgeries won’t take them on.
“One of them is epileptic – she gets a prescription two or three times a week
“(My daughter) is worried about it but she doesn’t feel as if she’s got a choice.”
Speaking about the consultation event, which she says was attended by three others, she said: “Nobody supported it.
“They were elderly like me.”
Long-term patient Frances, who attended the engagement session on Friday, is also planning to register with a different GP.
The 76-year-old said: “I’ve been coming here for about 20 years.
“My wife is also a regular patient.
“I’ve already got the forms to move to Hillbank Health Centre – there is no point traipsing out to Douglas.
“It makes no sense to go out there when you’re sick to see the doctor, so we will move.
“It is disappointing.”
He added: “My suspicion right now is that they want to get rid of a few staff – it’s an economic decision.”
‘People can’t afford to live – never mind pay bus fares’
Another man, who did not want to be identified, said: “It is going to put a few noses out of joint, without a doubt.
“People can’t afford to live – never mind pay bus fares.”
A spokesperson for the Family Medical Group said: “We have struggled for a number of years to provide regular surgeries in Douglas due to GP shortages and to upgrade our phone system while based at Wallacetown Health Centre.
“This potential move would see the Family Medical Group team relocate to the Douglas Health Centre, providing continuity of care for our registered patients.
“Delivering primary care services from one site would mean we could provide a more efficient, effective service as well as enabling the phone system to be upgraded.”
Following the consultation, a report will go to city health officials for a final decision – potentially before the end of the year.
Other services, including the pharmacy, will remain based at Wallacetown Health Centre.
Conversation