COLIN BEATTIE MSP THANKS ALL INVOLVED IN CARRYING OUT THE EXTERNAL REVIEW INTO RIVERSIDE MEDICAL PRACTICE

​The final report from the highly anticipated External Review into Access and Capacity of Riverside Medical Practice and Associated Services has now been published. 

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has praised the work carried out by the external review team, and that of Riverside Medical Practice in identifying the issues and establishing where improvements needed made to improve the overall patient experience.

The initial report, following 5 months of information gathering, made 17 recommendations where improvements should be made. Following 6 months of work by Riverside Medical Practice and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, progress has been made with many of these 17 recommendations and work will be ongoing with several others.

Commenting, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said “I am extremely grateful to all involved with bringing together the External Review Team, and to Riverside Medical Practice for working with them to look at how to improve the patient experience for many of my constituents.

​For many years I have been pushing for action to be taken as it was clear that patients had concerns with accessing care, and with being able to contact the practice by telephone. Following discussions with our First Minister Humza Yousaf, in his previous role as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, I was able to stress the importance of Riverside Medical Practice within our community, and to request his support in forcing the necessary improvements to ensure all my constituents have access to medical care at the point of need.

Now the independent review team have completed their role in the process, and published their final report, it is clear that whilst progress has been made, there are still many points outstanding. My hope is that Riverside Medical Practice and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership continue to make progress on all 17 recommendations and complete the good work that has been started over the last 6 months. I do not see the process as reaching its conclusion as there is still work to be done, and as such I will continue to monitor the situation and will be looking to see continuing progress. Over the years I have been contacted by many constituents reporting their concerns with the practice and I would like to encourage patients continue to get in touch with me if they encounter issues in accessing care.”