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The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Bruce MPLiberal Democrat MP for Gordon |
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MP fights surgery closure
September 4, 2012 4:20 PM
Gordon Liberal Democrat MP Sir Malcolm Bruce has urged NHS Grampian to take what steps it can to prevent the closure of Tarves GP Surgery - and has challenged local MSP Alex Salmond to intervene as First Minister to save the surgery.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Tarves and Pitmedden made the call after it was confirmed that the surgery will close on September 7th due to its owners losing dispensing income after a commercial pharmacy was opened in the village.
Malcolm Bruce MP said:
"This is a case where the residents of mid-Formatine have been right all along. They feared that existing regulations would mean that the opening of a commercial pharmacy in Tarves would lead to the loss of dispensing services at their local GP surgery - and they were right. They were concerned that the loss of dispensing income would threaten the provision of GP services in Tarves - and they were right. That is why 98% of residents of Tarves signed a petition opposing the opening of the pharmacy, and why nearly 300 people attended the public meeting on the subject on 28th August.
"The Health Board initially refused the application for a commercial pharmacy, before their decision was overturned by the National Appeals panel. I have written to NHS Grampian to ask them whether there are any steps they can take at this stage to save the surgery.
"Local residents have told me that they advised Alex Salmond of this issue three years ago. At the time, he agreed that they were right, and promised that the Cabinet Secretary for Health would deal with the issue. Three years later, it appears nothing has been done. I am thus calling on Mr Salmond to take action as First Minister to resolve this matter, even at this late stage. I hope he will join with me and local residents in taking steps to save Tarves surgery.
ENDS