A MEDICAL practice has decided to permanently close a branch surgery in a neighbouring community, leaving some residents “shocked and saddened”.
Cockenzie-based Harbours Medical Practice confirmed the closure of its Longniddry Surgery via a post on Facebook on Christmas Eve.
The statement read: “It is with great sadness that we would like to confirm the decision to permanently close our branch surgery in Longniddry.
“The branch surgery has now been closed for nearly two years during the pandemic and we feel that we are able to offer a better and safer level of care from the central surgery premises in Cockenzie and Port Seton.
“It continues to be a great privilege to provide medical services to the residents of Longniddry and we are confident that our new expanded premises in Cockenzie will allow us to improve the level of care that we are able to provide.”
Marilyn Young, of Longniddry Community Council, said: "We are extremely saddened and disappointed that the decision has already been made to close the Longniddry satellite surgery without consultation with the residents of Longniddry, as we fear that this may have a big impact on the residents who live here that have to rely on public transport.
"We consider this to be a very valuable resource that we are losing."
A number of social media users expressed their upset at the closure of the local surgery.
One pointed out the continual growth of population in the village and the number of elderly residents warranted a running surgery in the village.
Another Facebook user said: “This is ridiculous: it’s hard enough to get there if you are elderly and don’t drive.
“I can see a lot of house visits for the doctors creating more time wasting for them to drive to patients, so much for our councillors fighting for us.
“A very very bad idea, people don’t mean anything anymore, so so sad.”
Another added: “Let’s face it it’s not for better patient care it’s about money. NHS is becoming not fit for purpose. Maybe that’s the plan.”
Work on a £4.1million extension to the main Harbours Medical Practice is underway, which will increase the number of consulting rooms from five to 11, with additional treatment rooms added and a makeover for the original building which opened in 1980.
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