An octogenerian couple given 30 days’ notice to find a new GP surgery after 45 years of membership say the move felt like a “sick joke”.
A soaring population has sparked safety fears at Coupar Angus Medical Centre, prompting staff to undertake a boundary review.
Letters have gone out to several patients who now find themselves living outside the GPs catchment zone, informing them they have 30 days to find a new practice.
The influx of new patients has been caused by similar changes at other surgeries, causing a knock-on effect for Coupar Angus.
One couple in their eighties, who have been with the practice for more than four decades, described their 30-day notice a “sick joke”.
In her letter to patients, practice manager Karen Leslie said: “As our practice population is continually increasing we must ensure our doctor/patient ratio is kept to a level where we can provide a good standard of care.
“We have now reached a point where we will only be able to provide healthcare to those people who reside within our practice catchment area.”
She said doctors at the practice took the decision after being overwhelmed by new patients.
People who need palliative care will not be affected, however.
William McGibbon, 87, and his wife Anna, 80, found out they would have to secure a new GP during the Christmas break.
He said he first registered with the surgery 45 years ago: “We have both lived at our present address for the past 23 years and fortunately have never had to request or receive any home visits.”
The retired leisure centre boss, who stays in Alyth, said: “When we first joined the practice it was a home-based one doctor set-up, with his wife acting as receptionist and providing sterling support 24 hours a day.”
An NHS Tayside spokeswoman said: “A GP boundary defines the area in which the practice operates and these boundaries evolve over time as local populations and demographics change.
“GP Practices need to be responsive in appropriately managing capacity issues and changing circumstances whenever it is necessary to do so.”
She added: “NHS Tayside appreciates that it may be unsettling for some patients who have historically been registered with a GP practice but who live outwith the practice boundary, to now be asked to move to another GP practice.”
The health trust has urged anyone who needs to change their GP to contact NHS Tayside Primary Care Services Department on 01382 425664.