Primary care update for the communities of Strachur, Furnace and Inveraray.
Dear Community Council Members,
Thank you for sharing residents’ questions and concerns about access to primary care services in Inveraray, Furnace and Strachur, and for helping us maintain open communication during this difficult time.
We recognise the concern about recent appointment availability, uncertainty over planned clinical cover and the effect this has had on patients and practice staff. We also recognise that some patients may feel anxious about attending or raising concerns directly with the practice.
Our immediate priority is to support continued access to safe and effective primary care, check that services are being provided as planned and give communities reliable information.
Access, appointments and clinical cover
We understand concerns about gaps in GP and practice nurse cover, limited appointments and uncertainty about available services. The GP practice remains responsible for ensuring access to primary medical care. In these circumstances, the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) provides financial support to help each practice arrange temporary cover.
We are working closely with the practices to support consistent patient care. We meet weekly and request daily updates when necessary. Where we have not received sufficient assurance that cover is in place, we have provided a GP. The practices decide how to deploy this support across their sites, and we have asked them to communicate staffing arrangements clearly, so patients understand which appointments and services are available.
The practice would normally use its existing budget to arrange weekly temporary GP cover based on patient need. However, I recognise that cover has recently been below the usual level, coinciding with the temporary changes.
I also understand that GP cover this week has been affected by peak staff leave. The practice remains open and supported by a wider multidisciplinary team including nursing and pharmacy, although GP support may be provided remotely for the rest of the week.
I have been assured that the practice has secured stable locum cover from 19 October until late November.
For appointments, medical advice, prescriptions or other routine or urgent care, please contact the practice as usual. If you have difficulty accessing the care you need, please inform the practice so it can respond and explain the available options.
Practice nursing, CTAC and planned care
Questions have been raised about long-term condition reviews, women’s and men’s health checks, taking samples, monitoring and other care usually provided by a practice nurse or through Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) services.
Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) nursing services remain unchanged. These services continue to provide tests, investigations and wound care each week at the Strachur and Inveraray practices. The temporary GPs supporting the practices will continue to arrange any tests or investigations that patients need.
The practice is responsible for maintaining access to practice nursing. They advise that each practice has access to a weekly nursing clinic with additional provision from Nurse Earnshaw on Fridays.
Information provided to patients and routes for concerns
Concerns have been raised about information provided to patients and how some people may have been approached about complaints or petitions. We cannot verify individual accounts in this letter. Patients should be able to make their own decisions and receive factual, balanced information without pressure. Anyone with concerns should use the most appropriate complaints or reporting route. Where there is an immediate safety concern or a suspected criminal matter, Police Scotland should be contacted. Concerns about a doctor’s fitness to practise may be raised with the General Medical Council.
The practice is responsible for providing services, communicating with patients about appointments and responding to concerns, normally through the Practice Manager. Practice staff manage day-to-day services and help patients access the appropriate support. As the practice is an independent contractor, its staff are employed and managed by the practice rather than directly by the HSCP.
We recognise that different concerns may require different routes. Information is available on the practice website about their complaints process. Our feedback team can provide support and guidance around independent advice and advocacy, these processes are set nationally and overseen by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Closing assurance
We are grateful to the practice staff who continue to support patients in difficult circumstances. Safe and effective primary care depends on reliable access, enough staff, safe working arrangements and clear communication. We will use the concerns raised to guide our checks and any further action.
We will provide a further factual updates should circumstances or cover arrangements change.
Yours sincerely
Eilidh Gallagher,
Head of Primary Care