Three GPs at Kersiebank Medical Practice in Grangemouth have recently left the Practice and three other GPs have confirmed that they plan to leave over the next few months to take up new posts and partnerships, including a number in the Forth Valley area.

As NHS Forth Valley is already responsible for managing the Practice, work is now underway to recruit or redeploy a number of GPs and nursing staff, who are employed by the Health Board, to provide GP and primary care services. This will ensure that the Practice remains open and continues to provide services to the local community.

In addition, there are plans to recruit other healthcare professionals including Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Paramedic Practitioners to provide support to local patients. This will expand the multidisciplinary team currently based at the Practice which includes mental health nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. Existing nursing, administrative and reception staff will continue to work at the Practice as they are already employed by the Health Board.

The Board is also in discussions with other GP Practices in the local area to see if they can provide some support, particularly over the next six months while new staff are being recruited.

Dr Stuart Cumming, Associate Medical Director for Primary Care in NHS Forth Valley, said: “Our plan is to build on the multidisciplinary workforce already in place at the Practice to ensure patients have access to a wider range of support and advice. This will also help free up GP time to manage patients with more complex health issues.”