Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, is pressing NHS Highland to move quickly to replace the doctors and practice manager in Acharacle Medical Practice.

The partners in Acharacle Medical Practice have announced that they will be leaving the practice in August. Amongst other factors, the pressure and strain of a big workload and not enough support has led to this situation. Mr Thompson has written to the Chair of NHS Highland to register his concern at the lack of support for doctors in rural and remote communities, as well as to ask NHS Highland to investigate and resolve the issues which are at the heart of this situation. Mr Thompson is also scheduled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon, on Thursday what support there is for doctors in rural communities and will specifically raise the issue of Acharacle.

Mr Thompson said, “For both partners and the practice manager to leave Acharacle Medical Practice in quick succession is, in effect, a very loud cry for help. Doctors in rural and remote areas take the strain of caring for patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because it is harder than ever to find doctors who are willing to share this burden and provide support, rural doctors are under more pressure, and are in more need of support.

“By asking the Cabinet Secretary for Health about the support that is provided to rural GPs I hope to raise awareness of the situation in Acharacle as well as to highlight the need for all rural GPs to receive adequate support wherever they are.

Note:

Question:

15. Dave Thompson: To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available for GPs in remote and rural areas. (S4O-01023)