FULLARTON residents are still waiting for their promised GP practice – nearly a year after they were forced to move surgery.

Back in May last year 1,000 Fullarton patients were dropped by the Townhead Surgery due to GP recruitment issues, and told they would move to the Eglinton Practice based at Ayrshire Central Hospital.

This was with the understanding residents would be getting there own GP based in the Fullarton Community Hub – which still hasn’t materialised after 11 months.

The Times was told the delay was due to ongoing negotiations over the lease for the premises between NHS Ayrshire & Arran, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP) the Eglinton Family Practice, Fullarton Community Association and North Ayrshire Council.

North Ayrshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership have since said negotiations for the GP have now been agreed and accepted last week – however still can’t offer a date when patients can use it.

Letters were sent to Fullarton patients back in May last year from the Townhead Surgery said their care would be moving to Eglinton Family Practice, stating that “resignations, impending retirements, and failed attempts to recruit new GPs” had put the practice at risk of closure.

“After long and difficult discussions and support from Ayrshire and Arran Health Board” the GP surgery is “unable to continue to provide care for up to 1,000 of our current patients.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and Eglinton Family Practice have been in negotiations with the Fullarton Community Association and North Ayrshire Council regarding the lease for the premises.

“The proposed terms have been accepted and discussions have concluded. A proposed timescale for moving patients, currently being seen at Eglinton Family Practice to Fullarton Health Hub, will be available soon.”