HOPES have been raised that a "solution" to a GP practice's funding problems could be found, amid concern about a possible job loss there.

Prestonpans Group Practice received a visit last Wednesday from Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, alongside South Scotland MSP Martin Whitfield, to discuss the issues facing the surgery in regard to NHS Lothian funding.

Prior to the visit, Councillor Colin Yorkston, Preston Seton Gosford ward member, informed members of Prestonpans Community Council at a recent meeting that he understood a job loss was expected at the practice, which the practice later confirmed to the Courier.  

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Mr Yorkston said at the meeting: "I am aware that the partners are meeting with the Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray and Martin Whitfield, with a redundancy certainly imminent.

"There have been some issues, unfortunately, in regard to staffing. The surgery had to go through a redundancy process for nursing staff, which no one wanted to do, I don't think. 

"That has made others working in the surgery a bit unsettled; one of the nurses has recently just left and they are down to one nurse."

Prestonpans Group Practice (Image: Google Maps)

Earlier this year, a number of GP practices in East Lothian raised concerns about their future following significant increases in facilities management charges.

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Following the visit to the practice, Mr Whitfield – who is a former chair of the town's community council, as well as former MP for East Lothian – said: “It is essential that GP partners are able to make the decisions that are right for their communities, and the doctors at Prestonpans Group Practice have been serving their community incredibly well.

“The funding cuts they are facing, alongside the drastic hike in facility management charges, have led to insurmountable financial pressure for the practice that is quite frankly unacceptable.

“Primary care should be an absolute priority for our Government and for NHS Lothian.

"I look forward to hearing what progress has been made towards supporting the ongoing provision of exemplary primary care from the Cabinet Secretary in two weeks’ time.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray MSP (fourth right) and South Scotland MSP Martin Whitfield (third left) were among those visiting the practice recently (Image: Supplied)

A spokesperson for Prestonpans Group Practice said: “For many years, our team have been providing a highly cost-effective service.

"We have worked hard to provide continuity of care and good access, which we believe are crucial to decreasing health inequalities.

“Our recent survey has shown that many of our patients would find it difficult to travel to access same-day GP appointments, and that a large majority of our patients value the continuity of care we offer.

“We are hopeful that, following our meeting with Neil Gray, a solution can be found to mitigate the loss of our funding for same-day appointments and increased premises fees, and we will be able to continue to provide a high-quality service to our community.”