Plea to keep GP surgery is rejected

Photograph Jamie Forbes 28.3.14 Hilton Terrace GP Surgery, Bishopbriggs. Councillor Billy Hendry opposing the proposed closure of the surgery.

Councillor Billy Hendry told the Herald the decision by East Dunbartonshire Community Health  Partnership would have a serious impact on elderly  residents in the area.

He is calling on the Scottish health minister to look at ways  of making closure of a GP  surgery more difficult.

He said: “I am absolutely gutted. This surgery has been in the community for decades.

“There are 1,100 registered patients and well over a third of them did not want to see it closed.

“The CHP have not taken into account the demographics of the north of Bishopbriggs, which has one of the largest elderly populations in the country.

“In my opinion they have dismissed this fact and are closing a service that will cause upheaval and anxiety for many of my constituents.

“I urge the health minister – who admittedly has no locus in this decision – to look at ways in the future to make closing a surgery more difficult.

“As it stands, I would urge everybody involved at Hilton Terrace to make every effort to help and accommodate all those affected, especially those with transport issues.”

On the Herald’s Facebook page, Lorraine Lewsley said: “What a shame. We lived in Hilton Terrace for 20-odd years and used this practice as did most of my neighbours and their families, some of whom were retired miners.

“It was great having it on our doorstep when the wee ones were ill.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “The GP practice cited two main reasons for the  proposed closure – the decline in usage of the surgery and its inappropriateness as a modern medical practice.

“In reaching their decision, East Dunbartonshire CHP considered information provided from a six-week public consultation.

“The CHP committee took into account that Hilton Terrace offers 21 GP appointments a week, there are four other GP practices within less than a two-mile radius of Hilton Terrace and the current state of the wooden building is not-fit-for purpose.”

The spokesperson added all patients registered with the surgery would be advised it would close on Friday October 24 and transferred to the Auchinairn branch.