Burghead and Hopeman GP surgeries to close for the foreseeable future following Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) meeting yesterday

BURGHEAD and Hopeman doctors surgeries will remain closed for six months following a meeting from the Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) yesterday.

The board met after public consultations regarding the permanent shut down of the two practices, which have been closed to patients since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The closure of the two surgeries – which are run by Moray Coast Medical Practice from Lossiemouth – would mean patients would have to travel to Lossiemouth for in-person medical appointments.

Members of the board voted to approve the majority of the recommendations regarding the closure and acknowledged the statements from both Moray Coast Medical Practice and Health and Social Care Moray that they would prefer to keep the practices closed.

However, the board amended the recommendation to permanently close the surgeries, instead approving their closure for the forseeable future. It was also agreed that the surgeries ensure services respond to local need before agreeing to permanent closure.

The group also acknowledged the need for transport solutions in an additional amendment and plan to look at the issue again in June, when further reports will be provided on the development of health and care provision across the area.

Iain Macdonald, Locality Manager for Forres & Lossiemouth, said: "We do recognise the strong feeling expressed by members of the community and community members across Moray in respect of seeing communities change.We respect that and want to continue discussions and address concerns."

"We believe the model we put forward is the most effective, it supports challenges with staffing, staff and patient safety and public finance in the Lossiemouth locality."

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