Publicity about Barra GP costs

NHS Western Isles wishes to clarify some of the inaccuracies in recent publicity regarding Barra GP costs.

Firstly, however, it is important to allay any fears caused by the recent publicity that ‘Barra would never see a resident GP again’.

NHS Western Isles has always been and remains committed to a model with permanent medical staff on Barra. Our dedication to Barra and its population is further demonstrated in our commitment to the Barra Community Campus, which, subject to Scottish Government approval, will represent the single biggest joint public investment development that the Western Isles has seen.

The recruitment of permanent medical staff will go ahead in due course. However unnecessary, unhelpful and inaccurate comments do not assist our prospects.

The high costs quoted in the publicity for locum cover are correct, and unavoidable, to provide ongoing medical cover on Barra. NHS Western Isles has to identify this funding from our overall allocation for the Western Isles. Regardless of cost, we have ensured that medical provision continues on Barra.

In direct contrast to opinion in the publicity, NHS Western Isles, at very short notice, was able to ensure continued provision of services in both the GP Practice and at St Brendan’s Hospital on Barra. The transition from an independent practice/business to a Health Board run practice has gone very well which is testament to the efforts of many staff. Patients now have improved access to appointments, with morning and afternoon clinics available every weekday. Patients can also now access the building to collect prescriptions or speak to staff, and we have increased the number of face to face and pre-bookable appointments from 296 per month to 320 per month (with a significant increase in face to face appointments).

There has been no contractual dispute with the GP Practice over ‘medical cover’ at St Brendan’s Hospital, out of hours or payments for those services. The resident GP exercised his right to withdraw from Out of Hours cover, followed by Medical Cover to St. Brendan’s Hospital on Barra and finally left the GP Practice. The Health Board took over management of the Practice on 1st September. The GP did not provide NHS Western Isles with the contractual notice required and it is testament to the team involved and staff at the Practice that a smooth handover was achieved with only four weeks’ notice.

Out of the nine locums who have provided a service five are returning practitioners (previously used by the Practice and some in fact already scheduled on the rota by the Practice) which provides a level of continuity during the transition/transfer period of the Practice. Incidentally, one of the doctors that provides cover on Barra won this year’s UK Best Doctor Award.

Negative and derogatory comments on the culture and working conditions in the local NHS are strongly disputed. Relationships with, and between healthcare staff on Barra are far from being ‘toxic’ and have in fact become stronger over recent months, and we are confident they will continue to do so.

It is unfortunate that NHS Western Isles was not asked to comment on last week’s publicity pre-publication.