Primary Care update - Kilcreggan and Garelochhead Medical Practices

Dear Community Members,

We are grateful for the opportunity to provide assurance that Kilcreggan Medical Practice and Garelochhead Medical Practice both remain open. We are committed to providing safe and sustainable local services and GP care continues to be available at each practice.

Following the community engagement meeting with representatives from Kilcreggan, Garelochhead and Rosneath on 30 September 2026, work is continuing to strengthen local primary care services and build a more resilient and sustainable service across both practices.

Progress includes work to strengthen staffing, move towards shared clinical and telephone systems, improve continuity of care and reduce reliance on short-term locum cover.

The current managed suspension is a temporary arrangement that provides flexibility to continue delivering effective use of the available professionals and workforce while improvement work continues. These arrangements will continue to be reviewed regularly as work progresses towards returning to normal operating arrangements.

Where a planned closure is required, this is limited to half a day, with GP services continuing from that practice during the other half of the day. Urgent clinical needs continue to be prioritised and, where appropriate, patients may be offered care at the other practice to help maintain access to services.

We have listened carefully to feedback from the community and are also improving the way information is shared with patients. This includes clearer and more concise public updates, earlier notice of planned closures wherever possible and communication through a wider range of channels.

Patients requesting repeat prescriptions should allow five working days for their request to be processed and are encouraged to order medication in good time.

We would like to thank patients, community representatives and local residents for their continued patience, support and constructive feedback. We remain committed to keeping both practices open, maintaining safe access to care and strengthening services for the communities of Kilcreggan and Garelochhead.

Patients who wish to provide feedback can speak to their practice team or contact the Argyll and Bute HSCP Feedback Team:

• email argyllandbutehscp.feedback@nhs.scot

• phone 01436 635 155

Yours sincerely,

Eilidh Gallagher
Head of Primary Care,  Argyll and Bute HSCP