Residents were once again updated on the future of Bridge of Earn medical centre via Facebook as NHS Tayside confirmed the surgery will be closed by the end of August.
Villagers found out the two GPs were resigning from their posts at the end of next week through the social media website at the beginning of this month.
3,500 registered patients are still yet to hear formally from the health board that the pair are leaving.
Integration Joint Board chief Gordon Paterson previously addressed a packed out public meeting organised by Earn Community Council and vowed to keep “full GP services” throughout August and September.
This no longer looks likely to be delivered in the village as the doctors who operate the practice have confirmed its imminent closure.
A poster, signed by Doctors Mauricio Martins Da Silva and Dorothy McDonald, appeared in the premises’ window on Thursday morning and a photograph of it was posted online.
It read: “It is with great regret that we have been informed by NHS Tayside that the practice will close at 6pm on August 30.
“We have been assured by the Health Board that they will be writing to all patients to allocate them a new GP as soon as possible.
“We thank you for your patience and understanding at this extremely difficult time.”
A seven figure sum of money has been ring-fenced by the health board to provide a new facility for the village but there has been no indication from NHS Tayside as to when this could materialise.
NHS Tayside stated yesterday afternoon that patients would receive a letter shortly.
Medical director Professor Peter Stonebridge said: “We understand that patients may be very anxious that the practice has decided to terminate its contract with NHS Tayside.
“We have worked to explore all potential options for a local solution, however the lack of a sustainable GP workforce and the needs and limitations of the premises have led us to take the decision to transfer the patients.
“This will ensure the practice population can continue to see a GP at a nearby practice. Although we recognise that this will be disappointing to patients, this is the safest and most sustainable response.”
Liz Smith MSP said: “I can’t underestimate how much of a worry this shameful episode is for the local community, especially for older, vulnerable people and the knock-on effect on the local pharmacy.”
Councillor Henry Anderson added: “My worry is now that all Bridge of Earn patients will be scattered to the four winds. If this happens, NHS Tayside will have serious questions to answer about the professional competence in this debacle and I and the community will be demanding the answers.
“No community the size of Bridge of Earn should be without GP services and if NHS Tayside strip our community of these services, it will never stand up to scrutiny.”
