New GP to Take Over the Running of Westburn Medical Practice

A new GP is to take over the running of Westburn Medical Practice in Falkirk after the vacant practice was advertised by NHS Forth Valley.

The Practice has been managed by NHS Forth Valley since March 2015 after a number of GPs left and the Practice was unable to recruit replacement staff.

The Health Board put in place a number of locum and salaried GPs to ensure the Practice remained open and continued to provide local services while it undertook work to advertise the Practice with the aim of returning it to the management of GPs.

Dr Derek Dundas will take over the running of the Practice from the Health Board from 3rd August 2015.

Dr Dundas, who has worked previously in Forth Valley and more recently in West Lothian, is looking forward to working at the Practice and has already met some of the local patients whilst working a locum GP at Westburn Medical Practice.

He said: “I’m delighted to be taking over the running of the Practice which provides a range of local health services for around 4,300 people in the Falkirk area.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the existing local practice team and I also plan to bring in additional staff to help further develop and enhance the range of services provided.”

“Having worked in Forth Valley before I know the area well and I’m looking forward to providing continuity of care for local patients and their families and building relationships with the local community.”

Miss Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Forth Valley, said: “We are pleased that we have been able to hand the management of this Practice back to GPs as this will provide long-term sustainability as well as providing opportunities to develop and expand the range of services provided locally.”

Westburn Medical Practice moved to refurbished premises on the Falkirk Community Hospital site in September 2012.