COLIN BEATTIE MSP CALLS ON RIVERSIDE MEDICAL PRACTICE TO ACCEPT RECOMMENDATIONS IN EXTERNAL REVIEW REPORT

Colin Beattie MSP has called on Riverside Medical Practice to accept and action the 17 recommendations set out in the External Review ‘Access and Capacity of Riverside Medical Practice LLP & Associated Services – September 2022’ Report.
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The report was commissioned in April this year to assess patient concerns regarding access to care provided by Riverside Medical Practice and associated services in Musselburgh including the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. 

Recommendations set out in the report include urgently reviewing the telephony system, introducing an on-line appointment system for routine appointments, and reviewing their complaint handling process by adopting the NHS Model Complaints Handling Procedure.

An independent Review Team, led by Dr Dorothy Armstrong, spent 5 months researching, engaging, and analysing feedback from patients and other community stakeholders with the final report published on Friday 23 September 2022.

MSP for Musselburgh, Colin Beattie commented:

“My constituents have long awaited the outcome of this report after years of complaints regarding issues accessing healthcare at Riverside Medical Practice.

“I would urge Riverside, the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Lothian to take on board all 17 recommendations set out in the report and collaboratively action them as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“The issues regarding access to healthcare at Riverside have gone on for too long and it would now be unfair to delay any improvements the patients have long-awaited for.

“I will continue to support my constituents and ensure improvements are made at the Practice. I have subsequently set up a meeting with the Review Team and will meet again with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf to ensure these recommendations are carried out in a timely manner.”

The full report can be found here: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/elhscp