Politics: Surgeries are important to our local communities
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Earlier this month I hosted a public meeting at the Baden Powell Centre in Turriff to discuss healthcare issues in the area.
The meeting was very well attended and I thank all the residents who took the time to come out and add to the discussion on this topic.
There were a wide variety of issues raised with which most readers will be aware regarding local access to healthcare.
All the issues tended to come under the headings of; closure of the Minor Injury Unit; Access to GP services; and Ambulance waiting times
However, what did surprise me was that several people express a sense of ‘fear’ living in an area with such inadequate health care provision.
The fear from some people is that some medical cases – whether chronic or acute – will not be addressed as effectively as if they resided in a larger town or city.
I thank all four Turriff & District councillors – two of whom sit on the Integrated Joint Board who oversee the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership – and two local MSPs who both sit on the Holyrood committee that scrutinises the Scottish Government’s performance on health and social care (which is devolved in Scotland).
I hosted this meeting with the intent of finding a constructive way forward, working with the respective health care services – who, unfortunately were unable to attend the meeting for a variety of reasons.
Since the meeting, I have heard from more residents expressing their concerns and worries about healthcare.
But, talking about it is not enough.
Public meetings are a great way to facilitate the discussion and hear from a range of voices, but they are moot if it ends there.
That is why I promised action on this issue and that I would do my utmost to take resident’s concerns forward.
I still intend to work constructively with the health service providers concerned.
I met with the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) on Monday to discuss the concerns raised.
I am grateful to the AHSCP for taking time to meet with me and for providing some answers to the concerns raised, which I will be feeding back to my constituents in due course.
I was also pleased to hear from them that they recognise many of the issues – particularly the complication of new processes and lack of effective communications.
I am meeting with the Ambulance service next month and am in the process of arranging a meeting with the Turriff Health Practice in a similar timeframe.
Of course, will keep residents updated on my progress.
This week also saw the completion of my annual summer surgery tour across Banff and Buchan.
As always, this is a great opportunity to get out and about meeting people right across the constituency – even more so after the previous two years being unable to do so.
As well as holding walk-in surgeries in village and community halls, I have also been knocking on doors across the constituency and coming to you to hear your concerns.
I have heard about a number of local issues – many of which I’m already progressing and looking forward to helping deliver positive outcomes.
As ever, I am available for surgeries most weeks (usually Fridays for in person) and you can contact my office on 01261 818744 or at David.duguid.mp@parliament.uk to book an appointment.
