Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD VISITS MORAY COAST MEDICAL PRACTICE

Richard Lochhead MSP this week visited Moray Coast Medical Practice in Lossiemouth to meet with staff and to hear how the surgery has adapted their working due to covid-19. 

Mr Lochhead was given a tour by the Practice Manager and met with doctors and nurses who have had to find new ways to support patients in local communities since the outbreak of coronavirus.

Speaking after his visit Moray’s MSP said:

“It was good to pay a visit to the practice and to hear from the team about how they’ve changed the way they work since the outbreak of coronavirus.

“Staff explained to me that there has been a huge change in how they now support their patients, with 90% of consultations being carried out over the phone and most people are generally being dealt with on the day they contact the surgery. I was really interested to hear how technology is being used to diagnose patients in the comfort of their own home, using online video calls.

“There have been some challenges, for example the practice had to take the difficult decision to close the Burghead and Hopeman practices for the time being, due to a lack of space for social distancing measures. I know that this is a problem for some patients, particularly those who don’t have a car, but the practice is doing all it can to support patients in those communities, and I’m told that volunteers are now working on a community bus to ensure that people can get to their medical appointments, which is not only welcome but demonstrates the strong community spirit locally.

“What was clear from my visit was what an incredible job the doctors, nurses, and practice staff – the whole team – are doing in the most challenging of circumstances. They’ve had to adapt quickly to new ways of working and delivering care for their patients and as local MSP I can’t thank them enough for their efforts.”