Acharacle Medical Practice The Pines Medical Centre Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Argyll, PH36 4JU

Surgery Times

The surgery times shown below may be subject to change due to annual leave
CONSULTATION BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Please ring 01967 431231 to make an appointment

Acharacle Surgery

Strontian Surgery

Kilchoan Doctor's Surgery

Specialist Nurse Clinics

Practice News
As you know, the two doctors and practice manager from the Acharacle Medical Practice left at the end of August and NHS Highland assumed responsibility for the practice until new doctors are appointed. The practice will continue to run as normal and you can access services in the same way as when Drs Colebrook and Topham were in post.

On 31st August, I and other NHS Highland officials met community representatives to discuss the practice’s future.

We explained our concerns about the sustainability of current practice configurations in remote and rural areas and the fact that recruiting doctors to them, and then retaining these people, is difficult. GPs in many such areas face a number of particular issues, such as the onerous nature of round-the-clock responsibility, professional isolation and difficulties accessing appropriate housing, education and leisure activities and employment for partners.

In view of all this, we explained that NHS Highland must explore different ways of providing services.

One proposal, mooted by Dr Iain Gartshore, from Mallaig and Arisaig Meidcal Practice, is for a grouping of practices, with additional clinicians working together as an extended primary care team across West Lochaber. This would create opportunities for staff rotation and for GPs to work in busier areas, gaining new skills and experience.

Clearly, time is needed to further consider and engage on this and other possible options, and to that end representatives of NHS Highland will attend meetings of the area’s three community councils in October.

Delivering GP services in the area as we have in the past is no longer an option. We wish to reach a solution that is both beneficial and sustainable and ask for your patience and understanding as we work towards that solution.

Gill McVicar,
Director of Operations,
North and West Highland,
NHS Highland

 

 

Out of Hours & Emergency Calls
If you require a Doctor out of hours or in an emergency please telephone the surgery on 01967 431231.
If you feel you have a problem which needs to be dealt with the same day, please ring the surgery and inform the receptionist that you wish to be seen the same day. We have a Duty Doctor available every day who is responsible for dealing with home visits and emergency appointments or telephone advice.

Out of hours your call will be answered by NHS24. If you need a doctor NHS24 will arrange for the Duty Doctor to call you back.

You may also telephone NHS24 directly for advice on 08454 24 24 24
NHS24 Website Address http:/www.nhs24.com

 

Home Visits
If a patient is unable to attend the surgery, then a home visit can be made.
Requests for these should be made before 10.00am,
if possible to allow the Doctor to plan the day.

The receptionist may ask you what the problem is
as the Doctor needs to prioritise home visits.

Patient Responsibilities
Please telephone to cancel your appointment if you cannot attend so
that it can be allocated to another patient.

This practice operates a zero-tolerance policy of verbal or physical
aggression towards all practice staff.

 

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Acharacle Medical Practice
The Pines Medical Centre
Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Argyll, PH36 4JU
Tel: 01967 431231 Fax: 01967 431396

 

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