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Patients at Highland medical practice warned of potential appointment difficulties due to GP shortage


By Val Sweeney

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Cairn Medical Practice in Inverness.
Cairn Medical Practice in Inverness.

An Inverness medical practice has warned patients they may face difficulties getting an appointment due to a shortage of GPs.

Cairn Medical Practice in Culduthel Road says the situation is likely to last for several weeks, with doctors absent due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Although the reasons behind the latest absences remained unclear, despite calls to the practice, in a statement it said they occurred alongside already frequent disruptions to staffing due to clinicians having to isolate, pending Covid-19 test results.

The practice normally operates with 10 GPs, a pharmacist, an advanced nurse practitioner, two nurses and two healthcare assistants.

"We do employ locum GPs to support where they are available but they are currently in scarce supply," it stated.

"This GP shortage, coupled with the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in due to the Covid-19 pandemic, means that we are under significantly more pressure to meet the needs of our patient population.

"We are looking to our patients for your support and understanding as this predicament is challenging for our practice and team at an already exceptional time."

It continued: "Appointment availability is likely to be lower than we would like. Please make every effort to be available for booked appointments and to cancel appointments no longer required."

Patients have also been advised they may not always be able to have a consultation with their preferred GP and, when they call to make an appointment, are asked to help by doing their best to answer questions put to them so they can be directed to the most suitable service.

"Please be assured that the practice remains open, and that our team is committed to our patients and their health needs as always," it adds.

A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: "We are aware of the situation with Cairn Practice and the steps being taken to minimise the impact.

"Any additional support from NHS Highland will be provided if required."

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