Published: Thursday, 31st July, 2008 08:05
GPs shut out patients
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TRANENT Medical Practice is to close its doors to residents in Pencaitland and Ormiston – as local doctors strive to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population.
Health centres in Ormiston and Tranent currently provide medical care for an estimated 15,000 patients living in the Fa’side area, with the smaller centre acting as a ‘branch surgery’ to Tranent’s Loch Road facility.
Residents are able to book appointments at either location.
Under doctors’ proposals, which could be in place by next April, the 3,000 or so patients on the register from Ormiston and Pencaitland, will be served by an independent Ormiston practice.
Delivering services at the Ormiston surgery is presently shared amongst the 10 Tranent GPs.
Practice manager Mary Gordon explained that separation of the practices – creating fewer patients for the Tranent doctors to care for whilst providing a dedicated service in Ormiston – was the “best option” available, in lieu of building an extension to the Tranent centre .
She said: “Tranent has expanded so much and we’ve not gained any promise from the health board for anything additional to our premises – which we’ve been looking for for some time.
“The health board hasn’t picked up on the increasing population, and the GPs felt that because the problem is not being answered, this is the only way to deal with it.”
NHS Lothian will redefine Tranent Medical Practice’s boundaries and it’s understood that two new GPs and administrative staff, will be appointed to run the Ormiston practice – within the present Sprinty Drive centre .
Community leaders have previously warned that Tranent’s medical services have been pushed to the brink by a significant rise in the population.
“We are by far the largest practice in East Lothian and we manage
remarkably well given the circumstances,” said Ms Gordon.
She added that plans were in motion to provide additional – though temporary – accommodation in Tranent, to tackle a growing lack of workspace at the practice.
Tranent Community Council chairman Raymond Strang said: “In principle, this seems to be a good proposal because it would provide Ormiston and Pencaitland with a central and full-time service, whilst also freeing up appointments for existing patients at the Tranent practice.”
He added that a public meeting would follow once community councillors had completed private discussions with NHS Lothian.
Fa’side councillor Jim Gillies said: “As long as we are getting the same standard of service (in Ormiston) that we have now, it will work.
“However, with the poor bus service provided for people travelling from Pencaitland to Ormiston, this may be a concern for people living in Pencaitland.”
Clinical director of the East Lothian Community Health Partnership, Dr Ian Johnston, said that local opinions would be sought, adding: “This is welcome news and means strengthened healthcare services being provided for local people.”
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