CONSTITUENCY MSP UPDATE ON RIVERSIDE MEDICAL PRACTICE

Local MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie promised constituents that Riverside Medical Practice is top of his agenda and arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and social Care, Humza Yousaf in September to discuss the distressing situation too many patients face at Riverside. 

Following discussions prompted by Mr Beattie, Scottish Government officials met East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership on Friday 19th November 2021 who remain concerned with the access issues patients face. As an action point, the Partnership agreed to meet with the Practice and collate their own report detailing the issues patients face at Riverside. 

Riverside Medical Practice, the East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) and NHS Lothian/the Primary Care Contracts Organisation (PCCO) and Lothian LMC met on 9 December 2021. All parties have now agreed to work collaboratively to find a solution to the ongoing issues. 

All parties have agreed to meet again at the end of January, after the teams at Riverside and ELHSCP have had further time to better assess current levels of patient demand, and what their capacity is to jointly and consistently meet that demand. The teams will also look to consider whether alternative access models represent a sustainable long-term solution for the Practice. 

MSP Colin Beattie is also due to meet again with the Cabinet Secretary Humza Yousaf on the 19th January to receive an update and push again for a solution. 

Commenting Colin Beattie MSP said: 

“The situation at Riverside is wholly unacceptable. I have continued to correspond with the Cabinet Secretary since September and I am pleased the Scottish Government has taken the first step to meet with the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership. 

“I still remain deeply concerned with the access issues patients face at Riverside and it remains my upmost priority to find a solution. 

“This will not come overnight. However, the situation has gone on for too long and I appreciate patients are getting increasingly worried, frustrated and exasperated. It is a positive step that all parties have agreed to work together but it does not improve the current situation. 
​
“I hope the meeting next week with the Cabinet Secretary can provide us with a substantial update on how the situation at Riverside Medical Practice can be improved and ultimately, resolved.”