Tain Medical Group to take over Tongue practice
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A CONTRACT to provide medical services in the Tongue area has been awarded to Tain and District Medical Group.
The announcement was made by NHS Highland earlier this week and has been welcomed by Tongue Community Council.
Two doctors who have been providing medical cover in Tongue made it known a couple of years ago that they intended to retire, but agreed to continue to work until the position was filled.
NHS Highland said Tain and District Medical Group put forward a business case as part of a robust procurement process.The award was made by a panel including medical, management and community representatives.
The contract, which begins on April 1, had been awarded as a standalone contract.
Tongue Medical Practice will now move from being a ‘vacant’ practice back to being an independent practice and will be run by three partners – Dr Jesus Ferrer GP; practice manager Lorna Mackay and advanced nurse practitioner Lorna Waddell.
NHS Highland is working with the team from Tain and District Medical Group to ensure a successful and seamless transition, with minimal disruption for patients and staff.
As part of the contract award, NHS Highland has asked the new partners to focus on adding new skills such as practice nursing to the practice team.
It said that this would mean some change to how the practice has traditionally operated and would improve care for patients and support for the staff team.
Evan Beswick, primary care manager for the north area, said: “Tain and District Medical Group put forward a really impressive case, focussing on the value of training, development and support for staff, and on quality and safety in patient care.
“This is essential for safe and modern general practice and I’m delighted to work with the incoming partners to put Tongue on a firm footing for the years to come.
"I’d like to pay particular tribute to the team at Tongue Medical Practice who have done an incredible job of continuing service delivery over the past year as NHS Highland has worked to procure new partners.”
Lorna MacKay, practice manager partner for Tain and District Medical Group, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for Tongue Medical Practice. We will strive to ensure excellent care for our new patients and will work hard to support the brilliant team at Tongue Medical Practice.
“It is important to assure our Tain and District Medical Group patients that this will have no negative effect on the care being provided to them as different staff and additional hours will be utilised for the provision of care in Tongue."
Tongue Community Council chairman David Macleod said: "The community council is delighted that an appointment has been made which we believe will result in the same or similar cover as previously."
