It comes after Alba Medical Group, who have run Lockerbie and Moffat’s doctor surgeries for the last eight months, handed in their notice to the NHS. The group – who have been criticised for their service throughout their tenure – are due to depart in April next year.
Now, the community council have three health board representatives, including Dr Grecy Bell, to come along to their meeting on Tuesday night.
Chairwoman Jan Andrews, pictured, this week said: “We’ve requested for someone from the NHS to come to the community council to discuss the upcoming closure of the surgery. We want to know what happens next.
“The majority of people aren’t negative about Alba leaving, it’s all about what is planned to take the next step forward.
“I’ve had nobody say to me that they had a positive experience with the service. People have said to me that they hope lessons can be learned from this situation. We want some clarification of what is happening.”
Meanwhile, South Scotland MSP Emma Harper has written to the Scottish Government’s Health Secretary to request an urgent meeting and to find out what action the government can take to assist NHS Dumfries and Galloway following Alba’s announcement.
Ms Harper said: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway have confirmed that Alba Healthcare are within their legal rights to end this contract, but it has understandably left many constituents concerned over the parity of care they are and will receive – with some reporting that the care delivered hasn’t met their expectations for a number of months prior to this announcement.
“I understand that a tendering process will now begin to look at a company to takeover this contract, or that the practice could be returned to the management of the health board.
“However, I want to see timely action taken to ensure my constituents have the highest possible standards of GP services.”
