Moray residents come out in force to protest surgery closures
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PEOPLE from the communities of Hopeman, Burghead and Lossiemouth joined together today to protest outside of Moray Coast Medical Centre in Lossiemouth
The protest was organised by the Save Our Surgeries campaign group who are protesting the proposed closures of the two branch surgeries in the villages of Burghead and Hopeman.
A spokesperson from the Save Our Surgeries campaign group said: "We have written to the surgery and our local MP and MSP have been been in contact with them, but we have had no communication from Moray Coast Medical Practice at all.
"They don't want to listen to us and they don't want to talk to us, 85 percent of the people surveyed don't want this to happen and we have all been totally ignored.
"We want to be able to find other solutions and options but the biggest issue is they won't speak to us."
Watch the protestors in action:
One of the group's concerns is the difficulties patients will have to get to in-person appointments in Lossiemouth, as there is currently no direct bus service to Lossiemouth from the villages.
This means that residents using the public bus would face a two or three hour trip to see a doctor for a consultation, blood test or urine test.
Hopeman resident Grace Angus said: "There is no way the transport situation cannot continue the way that it is. Many people are relying on friends and family to attend appointments and that isn't a good solution for long term.
"We have paid taxes all these years and we're entitled to access to health care - it is utterly disgraceful."
People from Lossiemouth also attended the protest in support of the movement and outlined the concerns of patients in Lossie.
Davie Stewart from Lossie said: "This decision is going to have a detrimental impact on the residents of Lossie, as well as the residents of Burghead and Hopeman.
"People in Lossiemouth are rightfully concerned about the impact this will have on everyone who uses the surgery. Adding two villages to the roster of people needing in-person medical attention is going to make waiting times worse, make it more difficult for people to get through on the phone and stop people being able to get appointments with doctors and nurses.
"I don't think they have consulted enough with the communities and to close two surgeries down does not make sense for any of the three communities involved."
The final decision about the closure of Hopeman and Burghead doctors surgeries will take place at a meeting of the Moray Integration Joint Board on June 26. The Save Our Surgeries group plan to continue campaigning against the closures and hope they will be able to find a better solution for the communities.
READ MORE: NHS Grampian release statement following health centre protest
