An advert has finally been placed for a replacement GP in Kilcreggan – nearly four months after Dr Donal Murray announced his resignation.
Kilcreggan Medical Centre patients received text messages yesterday, which apologised and said that because of staffing issues people should not request GP appointments unless it was urgent.
When Dr Murray announced his departure Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said the position would be advertised in the British Medical Journal.
But last month it was revealed here that this still had not happened, with the HSCP saying ‘a significant amount of work had to be completed’.
This week an HSCP spokesman said the position had now been advertised, adding that the message to patients was because of ‘a short-term staffing issue’.
The BMJ advert states that the practice has 2,439 registered patients, with out of hours covered at the Vale of Leven Hospital via NHS 24.
It adds: “Kilcreggan offers beautiful views of the Clyde, a lovely community and is easily accessible from Inverclyde by the passenger ferry.
“Kilcreggan has its own pharmacy, cafe, small shop and a great pub which serves fantastic food, a supermarket is available in nearby Rosneath.”
A full-time, permanent, salaried GP is sought – although in May he HSCP said it was looking to recruit a GP partner.
The closing date is stated as October 1 in one section of the advert and October 3 in another section.
Just over a month ago we all received a letter reassuring us that all there would be no problems and we would be well looked after by locums. Dr Murray has not been gone for a fortnight and already it’s falling apart and I can’t see a doctor. What a waste of paper that was.
Four months to get an advert out!!!. Does anyone at HSPC really care and can they be trusted to get anything right.