NHS Tayside will today recommend that the closure of Invergowrie Medical Practice will go ahead in a huge blow to local residents, despite an opposing petition with over 500 signatures.
The majority of the practice’s 1800 patients would then be moved nearly three miles away to the Ancrum One Medical Centre in Dundee from next month.
The proposal for the future of the surgery will be presented at a meeting of the Perth and Kinross Intergration Joint Board today (May 30).
Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey said he is “gutted” at the decision and that it is “terrible” news for villagers.
Invergowrie Medical Practice patients were told in February the health facility would shut permanently on June 16.
An inability to recruit following retirements at both the Ancrum and Invergowrie practices has now left a single GP managing both practices.
That GP did not feel that this was safe or sustainable, so they chose to resign from the Invergowrie contract.
The announcement of the closure was met with concern from patients and local politicians.
However it looks like there will be no u-turn.
The NHS taking over operations was one of five options considered by a new group comprising NHS Tayside senior members and Perth and Kinross and Dundee health and social care partnerships.
The four other options include another GP practice taking over the practice contract, merging with another independent practice, merging with one of the two Dundee practices already operated directly by NHS Tayside and closing the practice before dispersing patients to other GPs.
The outcome of the options appraisal will be presented to Perth and Kinross and Dundee Integration Joint Board.
As practice contracts are held at health board level, the final decision on the option or options to be taken forward will be made by NHS Tayside.
Carse of Gowrie councillor Bailey launched a ‘Save Our Surgery’ petition which successfully galvanized local support to keep the practice open, with 566 signatures.
He pointed out a lack of adequate direct bus routes to the other nearest GPs, such as Errol 10 miles away, and better accessibility for elderly residents as key reasons for it to remain.
The petition was presented to the chief officer of Health and Social Care at Perth and Kinross Council.
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney revealed that many in the Invergowrie area have also contacted him over concerns about ongoing health services for local people.
Carse of Gowrie Conservative Councillor Angus Forbes has also expressed extreme frustration at the closure decision.
