Fears for Lanark out of hours GP service

Health chiefs are currently looking at how best to alter opening times at Lanark's satellite out of hours centre in Woodstock Road, taking into account demand alongside efficient use of resources overall.

And Karen fears that this could see the Lanark centre's current opening hours — from 6pm to midnight during the week and 8am to 1pm at weekends — reduced.

She claimed this would make it more likely that Clydesdale residents in need of urgent medical attention would have to travel to Wishaw General Hospital instead.

"There is no justification to further reduce the availability of out of hours services to the people of Clydesdale," Karen said.

"If NHS Lanarkshire is cutting the out of hours service then this must be replaced by an on-call GP, available for house calls."

A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire confirmed that it is currently undertaking a review of the satellite out of hours services in Lanark and Cumbernauld.

Its aim is to identify how the service is being used and to review opening times to match times of greatest demand.

He revealed that this review is subject to further discussions with service users and providers.

The spokesman added: "Our review is specifically looking at

opening times.

"I expect the full results from the review to be made public in the next few months."

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now, priced just 48p.