Decision day for Burghead and Hopeman GP surgeries
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A decision on whether to close the GP branch surgeries in Burghead and Hopeman for good is expected tomorrow (Thursday).
Members of the Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) are being asked to approve recommendations to permanently shut the surgeries which are run by the Moray Coast Medical Practice in Lossiemouth.
Both were closed at the beginning of the pandemic because they failed to comply with health care standards.
A consultation on their future included two public meetings.
It also involved a questionnaire to which more than of 650 people responded.
A total of 75% said they were against shutting the branch centres for good.
More than 80% stated the closures would have a negative impact.
Transport issues and the growing patient list at the practice in Lossiemouth were among the main concerns.
A report before the MIJB states "strong concerns" were raised over the closure by people living in and around Burghead and Hopeman.
A £170,000 refurbishment of the Laich Dental Suite in the Lossiemouth health centre is proposed as a way to deal with the extra patients from the two villages.
However there is no direct bus service to Lossiemouth from Burghead, and a round-trip can take three hours with patients required to go via Elgin.
Although patients from Burghead can register with GPs in Elgin, there are pressures on practices in the town.
The voting membership of the MIJB comprises four Moray councillors and four representatives from NHS Grampian.
The meeting is set to begin at 10am in the Moray Council chambers.
A live webcast will be viewable via HERE
Note that several other issues are also on the agenda.
