Team Withdraw from Take Over Plan For Southern Machars Practice

A PROCESS to appoint new medical service providers in the Southern Machars has been paused – after the team originally set to take on the contract withdrew.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway will continue to run the practice directly in the interim, after a group of GPs operating as Blue Lotus decided to step back from a plan to take over the practice next month.

Head of Primary Care Services Linda Bunney said: “We’re obviously disappointed that the trio of GPs who were gearing up to take on the contract for Southern Machars are now not in a position to do so.

“This development means we must pause and take stock of the situation, but with NHS Dumfries and Galloway continuing to directly manage the practice – ensuring that the high level of care which has now been provided for several months will continue unchanged.”

As is the case across Scotland, the majority of general medical practices in Dumfries and Galloway are managed by independent contractors who hold NHS contracts to provide essential local healthcare services.

Mrs Bunney said: “We appreciate that there will be a degree of disappointment within the community, but are hopeful that we will be in a position before too long to offer some more positive news.”