MOREBATTLE is to lose its part-time GP surgery while that at Yetholm will be maintained writes Bob Burgess.
The decision on the two satellites operated by the Kelso Medical Practice was made at a meeting of the NHS Borders’ Board on Thursday.
Last week TheSouthern told how campaigners in Morebattle had lost their fight to retain the surgery while villag
ers in Yetholm had been successful in persuading medical chiefs to keep their surgery open.
Yetholm will be upgraded to meet disability regulations and patients from Morebattle will be encouraged to make use of the thrice-weekly GP service. Improved transport facilities to the medical practice in Kelso will be provided and a medicine delivery service introduced.
Dr Ross Cameron, medical director for NHS Borders, said the decisions have been reached following talks with the GPs in Kelso who had wanted to axe surgeries in both villages.
Dr Cameron said: “The board has listened carefully to everyone involved in the consultation following the request to close Yetholm and Morebattle branch surgeries. The board also took into account significant changes that have modernised how services are delivered and managed by all of the health professionals based in GP surgeries.
“While we recognise that those who live in or near Morebattle will be disappointed, we do hope that the enhanced arrangements to the Yetholm surgery will be of benefit to both communities.
“These enhancements include alterations to the surgery at Yetholm to provide access for the disabled, and consideration of the development of a Community Nurse-led clinic there. For both Yetholm and Morebattle communities there will be the introduction of a courier service for delivering medicine, and the provision of a transport service to and from Yetholm surgery.”
Once the new arrangements are in place the Yetholm facility will be reviewed after nine months.
The full article contains 308 words and appears in Southern Reporter newspaper.
