A major review of primary care services in NHS Highland has been given the go-ahead in a move which could revolutionise how GPs serve patients in remote and rural communities.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil endorsed plans to develop a new model for remote primary care in NHS Highland.   It follows growing fears over the state of GP provision in rural areas, with many communities struggling to recruit and retain GPs and forced to rely on expensive locums to plug the gap.

The review will be developed by the Scottish Government and NHS Highland with the help of the Dewar Committee, which includes a number of GPs based in rural Highland communities.

Dave Thompson, local MSP said - "Remote and rural regions, such as those found in my constituency, face different challenges in delivering primary care services.   The Dewar Centenary Group has already done considerable work in exploring how to better organise the NHS, and I have high hopes this pilot will provide valuable lessons not only for the future of NHS Highland but throughout Scotland."

Source:  The Herald

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