Consultation on the proposed permanent closure of the Burghead and Hopeman branch surgeries
Published: 06/09/2022 06:00Health & Social Care Moray is undertaking a formal consultation on its proposal to permanently close the branch surgeries in Burghead and Hopeman.
The two buildings temporarily closed in March 2020. All patients of Moray Coast Medical Practice currently have in-person appointments at the Lossiemouth medical centre, as well as telephone, online and video consultations. Patients on the housebound register and those who are too ill to attend Lossiemouth medical centre continue to be visited at home.
Members of the Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB) - the governing body for the health and social care partnership – agreed at a meeting on 26 May 2022 for a consultation on the proposal to permanently close the buildings to proceed.
The 12 week consultation will run from Thursday 8 September to Friday 16 December 2022 to enable concerns or questions regarding the proposal to be expressed.
All patients aged 16 and over of Moray Coast Medical Practice have been sent a consultation pack including a letter, background information and response form.
Two public meetings will be held as follows:
- Hopeman – Thursday 27 October, 6.30-8pm, Memorial Hall
- Burghead – Monday 14 November, 6.30-8pm, Community Hall
Iain Macdonald, Locality Manager for Forres & Lossiemouth, said: “The branch surgeries have been a feature of Burghead and Hopeman for many years and are much valued by local residents. Their permanent closure would have an ongoing impact on patients.
“Undertaking the formal consultation exercise will give patients the opportunity to respond to the proposal before any decision is taken by the IJB.”
Moray Coast Medical Practice has worked across three sites - Lossiemouth, Hopeman and Burghead - for over 30 years. The Burghead and Hopeman buildings were secured when the practice team was smaller and regulations around healthcare premises and working practices were less restrictive.
Discussions between Health & Social Care Moray and Moray Coast Medical Practice about the condition of the branch surgery buildings, their suitability for patients and practice staff and for the provision of modern, high quality primary care services, have been ongoing for several years. Both buildings have remained shut since the start of the pandemic.
Documents relating to the Moray Coast consultation are available on the Health & Social Care Moray website at: https://hscmoray.co.uk/engagement-consultation.html