A Carse of Gowrie resident has questioned “strange” plans to create a temporary GP surgery beside what she says is a dangerous road.
Jan Tait, 56, who lives near the planned building in Errol, claims many accidents have taken place on the B958 Grange road over the years, including a car overturning just last week.
She adds that poor visibility around the entrance of the planned site will lead to “many collisions” when the temporary surgery is built.
The Carse Medical Practice received the backing of NHS Tayside and the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to commission Errol-based Morris Leslie to propose a new site in Errol for the temporary GP surgery.
Doctors says that with the current GP surgery in Errol due to be vacated on April 25 and the nearby surgery at St Madoes deemed no longer fit for purpose, local health services need to be overhauled.
Doctors Ruth Cotton, Sahar Hussein and Amy Stewart have lodged a statement to Perth and Kinross Council along with the planning application to state their reasons for the proposed move.
They say: “The practice sees this as an opportunity which in the long-term will allow the development of appropriate services which can be shaped through public consultation and will ultimately benefit patients and the local community.”
However, Mrs Tait feels the location could be dangerous.
“I feel the access/exit to the planned surgery will be on to the most dangerous part of the B958,” she said.
“In the interests of public safety, you have to ask why put they will put the building here? There have been a number of accidents here with one just taking place last week.
“I feel there will definitely be some more collisions when the surgery is built.”
SNP councillor Beth Pover, one of the representatives for the Carse of Gowrie, claims there has been a lack of consultation about the proposal.
“I feel there’s not been enough consultation about this plan,” she said.
“It affects many residents in the Carse of Gowrie but I don’t think there has been proper consultation on this plan. It was discussed last year but it just seems like we’re hearing about this all of a sudden.
“Local residents need to be provided with robust consultation as this hasn’t happened so far.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Local GPs, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Tayside continue to work closely together and are committed to ensuring GP services continue to be provided in the Carse of Gowrie area.
“The GP practice is currently developing plans to provide temporary premises by the spring. This will ensure the continuity of patient services in the Carse for the foreseeable future.
“NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Health Social Care Partnership will continue to work closely with the practice in Errol as they move into the temporary new premises and as they develop plans for permanent premises. These plans will be developed in partnership with the practice and the local community.
“The feedback and support from the community and local councillors has been greatly appreciated, and we look forward to working together to deliver this next phase for the Carse of Gowrie.”
