Gap in GP Provision at Brooksby practice in Largs

Largs is still looking for a doctor following the retirement of a senior GP two months ago.
A statement issued by the Brooksby practice had explained the centre’s difficulty finding an immediate replacement for Dr Andrew Auld, citing the national problem finding new doctors.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran have confirmed that the Largs Medical Group is yet to fill the vacancy.
Eddie Fraser, Director of East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, told us; “We are aware that a GP retired from Largs Medical Group in July 2015.
Since this time, the practice has been using locum doctor services to ensure they continue to provide a full service for their patients, while also actively engaging in recruitment processes to fill this vacancy on a permanent basis.
“GPs are independent practitioners and, as such, the GP partners within the practice take the lead for recruiting new GPs or other healthcare providers employed by the practice, to ensure they are meeting their contractual obligation for the provision of general medical services.
“As an NHS Board we recognise the importance of primary care in our local communities and we have been providing support to the practice in assisting them to identify available locums.”
One of the concerns about the GP shortage is the lack of young people who have seen it as an attractive option. Only one of the Largs doctors qualified in the last decade. Dr Auld, according to their site, qualified in 1976, with a further seven qualifying between 20 and 30 years ago.
This is also something the NHS says it has been working to address.
Ms Fraser said: “We have also been engaging with our local GPs to make Ayrshire and Arran an attractive place for doctors to live and work in.
“The Local Medical Council (LMC) is advised of all changes to the Performers List (GPs working in the NHS Board area) and discussions are ongoing with NHS National Education for Scotland (NES) and the LMC regarding workforce planning.”