Rapid population growth in Bridge of Don raises concerns for local healthcare access
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Population Growth Strains Local Healthcare Services
The Udny Station GP surgery in Aberdeenshire is facing potential closure, a decision driven by significant population growth in the nearby suburb of Bridge of Don. This situation has raised alarms among local residents and healthcare advocates, as the surgery may transfer its patients to a medical practice located 10 miles away in Bridge of Don.
The announcement, made by Scotstown Medical Group, the contractor managing the surgery, highlights the operational challenges posed by the increasing demand for healthcare services in the area.
Impact of Development on Healthcare Access
Bridge of Don, often referred to as “Europe’s largest suburb,” is experiencing a population boom, with numbers nearing 25,000.
This surge is fueled by the construction of 536 new council properties in the Cloverhill area and 67 new homes by Cala Homes. Additionally, the Grandhome development is set to introduce 7,000 properties across seven neighborhoods. As a result, the Udny Station GP surgery has been informally managing patient registration requests, limiting new patient acceptance to those who meet specific criteria. This has created a backlog and has strained the resources of the already overburdened Scotstown practice, which serves over 12,500 patients.
Challenges in Maintaining Quality Care
Peter Reynolds, the director of Scotstown Medical Group, expressed that the decision to consider closing the Udny surgery was not made lightly. He emphasized that the operational challenges stemming from the population increase have significantly impacted their ability to provide adequate services. The rising costs of medications and operational expenses further complicate the situation, rendering the current arrangement financially unsustainable. Patients currently registered at Udny will have the option to switch to another GP practice within the local area, but this will only be available 12 weeks after the potential closure.
Community Concerns and Political Response
The potential closure has sparked concern among local residents and political representatives. Harriet Cross, the MP for Gordon and Buchan, has voiced her apprehensions regarding the implications for rural healthcare access. She criticized the idea of patients having to travel a 20-mile round trip to the Scotstown Medical Practice, which is already struggling to meet the needs of its growing patient base. Cross has reached out to health authorities, urging them to implement measures to prevent the loss of vital medical services in the community. The situation underscores the pressing need for sustainable healthcare solutions in rapidly growing areas like Bridge of Don.
