UPDATE: 24 February 2021
NHS Borders has now completed an extensive piece of work in partnership to identify a way forward for the provision of GP services to the patients of Duns Medical Group.
More than 500 contacts from Practice patients were received during the process, and all were considered as part of the decision making process.
The three options that were considered were:
- A competitive tender process for a new GP Partnership to take over the service from within the existing premises
- The Health Board run the service from within the existing premises (known as a 2c Practice)
- Patients registered to Duns Medical Group are re-registered to the list of another local practice
Overwhelmingly the preferred option of patients was for a new GP Partnership to take over and operate from within the existing premises.
One tender was received from a new GP Partnership. This was considered alongside the other options, and each option was assessed from a non-financial and financial perspective via a robust options appraisal process. Assessment criteria included accessibility to services, flexibility and innovation in practice, patient safety, quality of care and equity of access.
Following the options appraisal, and a further interview process, we can advise that NHS Borders has awarded the contract to Ayrshire Medical Group who will provide GP services to the patients of Duns Medical Group from 31 March 2021.
The new GP Partnership has extensive experience of providing General Medical Services and already run two GP Practices. We are confident that they will continue to provide a high quality service for patients.
Care will continue to be provided from the existing Practice premises at the Knoll Health Centre. Practice staff are being offered the opportunity to continue their employment in the new GP Practice. Patients should continue to access services and book appointments in the usual way.
The previous update issued on 18 January 2021 can be found here.