LIBDEMS SEEK ASSURANCES ON NEWCASTLETON HEALTH CENTRE (Jim Hume)

LIBDEMS SEEK ASSURANCES ON NEWCASTLETON HEALTH CENTRE

April 29, 2010 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has today called upon the Scottish Government to take a role in safeguarding of rural dispensing GP practices following fears that Newcastleton health centre faces a loss of income from a proposal by a large pharmacy to locate to the village.

The MSP called on the Health Minister to review the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to take account of situations where dispensing GP practices in rural areas have no representation on their Area Pharmaceutical Committee and in situations where no account is taken of the impact on a dispensing GP practice of the loss of dispensing income.

Mr Hume has also met with and written to the Chief Executive and Chairman of NHS Borders.

Mr Hume said:

"Dispensing GP practices are hugely important for rural and remote communities, and Newcastleton benefits from four GPs who know their patients' needs very well.

"The worry of a big pharmacy coming in is that it could potentially cut the dispensing income of the health centre, which in turn could lead to the loss of one or two GPs. This would have the severe impact of limiting an excellent NHS provision for this community.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have consistently argued to protect good, local services across the Borders and I do share concerns of residents that a new pharmacy could be damaging for Newcastleton."

Michael Moore, Libdem candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, backed Mr Hume's calls and added:

"Very serious consideration should be given to this application because of the potential impacts on patients in Newcastleton.

"NHS Borders' consultation has been extended to the 1st June and I would urge everyone to respond and tell NHS Borders that they believe the potential loss of any GP should be a material consideration of this planning application.

"Local NHS services in this community and across the Borders must be protected."

ENDS

Notes to editors

The text of Mr Hume's parliamentary question is as follows:

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure that dispensing GP practices in rural areas are protected. (S3O-10313)

Follow up PQ - in Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders, the local dispensing GP practice is at risk because a large pharmacy is planning to open in the area. Can the cabinet secretary clarify what her department will do to ensure that it will review the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to take account of situations where dispensing GP practices in rural areas have no representation on their Area Pharmaceutical Committee and in situations where no account is taken of the impact on a dispensing GP practice of the loss of dispensing income?