Langbank surgery closure fears as Scottish Government health secretary urged to intervene
Scottish Government health secretary Neil Gray has been called on to step in and save a Renfrewshire village's GP surgery.
Councillor James MacLaren, who has been campaigning to save The New Surgery in Langbank, wants Mr Gray to 'urgently intervene' and keep the practice open.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist councillor, who represents the village as part of his ward, has now written to the SNP MSP, highlighting the 'overwhelming' need for GP provision to continue to be accessible in Langbank.
Previously, he had told the Paisley Daily Express that closing the site, which also has a branch in Kilmacolm, would be a 'hammer blow' for the local community.
'Patients in Langbank deserve to see a GP in Langbank,' he said. 'This planned closure of the surgery in the village will undoubtedly have a huge impact on many of my constituents, who rely on being able to access a GP in their own community.
'The loss of that will mean many will have to travel to Kilmacolm for appointments. For those without a car, that is almost impossible given the lack of local transport provision.'
The local politician went on to claim that cuts to primary care budgets have 'undoubtedly' had an impact on GP provision in communities in Renfrewshire – with the Langbank surgery already operating under reduced opening hours since October.
He says that Mr Gray must recognise the huge impact the closure would have on many patients who would have to ultimately travel to Kilmacolm for appointments and provide the resources necessary to keep the facility in Langbank open.
He added: 'That is why I have now written to SNP health secretary Neil Gray asking him to urgently intervene in this situation.
'Cuts from the SNP to primary care budgets have had a major effect on surgeries like Langbank, who were already forced to reduce their opening hours last year. It should never have reached a point where we are now consulting on shutting the surgery in Langbank altogether.
'Neil Gray needs to recognise the seriousness of this situation and give the resources necessary that will allow this surgery to remain open.'
The practice falls under the Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) umbrella. A consultation on the surgery's future is underway and will be closed in just over two months.
An Inverclyde HSCP spokesperson previously said: 'We note the request by The New Surgery to close the Langbank branch surgery.
'This request has led to a consultation process with patients and other interested parties. The consultation will end on July 25, after which a decision will be made by Inverclyde HSCP.'
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