ARGYLL and Bute Council’s policy lead for care services has welcomed funding being allocated for key facilities in two areas.
Medical practices in Kilcreggan and Garelochhead have secured investment which will enable them to operate sustainably in the future.
Funding has also been secured on a short to medium-term basis for dental services in Cowal, with hopes for a longer-term facility.
Councillor Dougie McFadzean’s (SNP, Kintyre and the Islands) report will be considered by the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, November 26.
He said: “Investment has been secured to ensure the sustainability of board-managed practices in Kilcreggan and Garelochead. The investment will ensure a sustainable workforce model following community engagement and a formal practice merger between the two sites.
“The additional investment will reduce the long-standing locum spend across these practices, mitigating some of the forecasted HSCP (health and social care partnership) overspend before the end of the financial year.
“Communities will benefit from continuity of care and, with time, access to enhanced services in their local communities.
“The Scottish Government have also announced financial investment into primary care with a £4 million uplift into existing enhanced service provision.
“The HSCP will work with key stakeholders including the LMC (Local Medical Committee) to allocate Argyll and Bute’s share of the allocation in a way that delivers the highest benefit for our communities while ensuring financial viability for our general medical services partners.
“Further investment has been secured following a successful funding bid to the Scottish Government to establish early career fellows across NHS Highland.
“Eight NHS Highland fellowships have been partially funded by the Government with three being allocated to Argyll and Bute.
“Plans are ongoing to develop meaningful job plans with opportunities in sexual health, mental health and frailty being prioritised to ensure longer term benefit for our communities.”
Councillor McFadzean added: “Approval has also been given to progress a proposal for a short to medium term dental investment in Cowal with the Scottish Government, following several unsuccessful attempts to secure an independent contractor model in the area.
“A short-medium-term model has been proposed as a viable alternative allowing the public dental service to deploy a dental access service for the area while longer term planning to transition to an independent practice are progressed.
“Committed investment from the Scottish Government will be required to progress with service delivery.”
