A planned new temporary GP surgery for the Carse of Gowrie has been broadly welcomed by politicians and health partners.
It’s been revealed that the Carse Medical Practice has submitted an application for the new surgery, which, if given the green light by Perth and Kinross Council, will be built to the east of Errol.
And the practice group, along with NHS Tayside and the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, intend to make arrangements for a permanent structure to be built in a three-to-five year time frame.
On Monday, Angus Forbes, a Scottish Conservative Councillor for the Carse of Gowrie ward, said he is “delighted” at the announcement regarding the proposal for the temporary GP surgery.
Mr Forbes and his Carse of Gowrie colleague, Scottish Labour Councillor Alasdair Bailey, hope the interim surgery building will ease concerns about the future of local medial services in the area.
The Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership has deemed the GP surgery at St Madoes no longer fit-for-purpose, but the health body claims no decision has yet been made to close it.
In addition, doctors and health staff are due to move out of the present GP surgery in Errol by April.
Mr Forbes said: “The temporary surgery will benefit from improved accessibility and dedicated car parking in addition to providing the doctors with the space they need to provide healthcare services.
“I am delighted that the future of the surgery for the Carse of Gowrie is secure and I know staff at Carse Medical Group are keen to get on with providing the high quality of medical care they are known for.
“I appreciate the location on the edge of the town is not going to be ideal for everyone but I know that other options within the town were examined and deemed not suitable. On the positive side, this will be a more accessible building.”
He continued: “The proposed location is outwith Errol to the east. We are aware that a number of locations within the village were explored by the partners and NHS Tayside prior to selecting this option.”
Mr Forbes revealed he and Mr Bailey are both “satisfied” that moving outwith the village of Errol is the only option to ensure “continued delivery” of high quality medical services within available budgets.
Mr Bailey added: “I am relieved to hear that the Carse Medical Practice is able to continue to serve patients here – albeit from a temporary building. I will continue to work with the doctors and the NHS to secure the permanent healthcare facility that residents of the Carse of Gowrie deserve.”
Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said it was “good news” for the area in the short-term.
“It is important that a long-term future is found for GP services in the Carse of Gowrie,” he commented.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership said: “NHS Tayside and the 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.”
