A patient at a closure-threatened north-east health centre has launched his own bid to save the stricken practice.
More 1,100 people have signed a petition urging the Scottish Government to step in and give Deveron Medical Practice in Banff a future.
Last week, it was announced the facility will end its contract with NHS Grampian after failing to recruit a full-time GP, forcing 6,300 patients to find new care before the practice shuts its doors in April.
Glen Hunter is one of those who will have to move to a different practice.
But he has decided to fight back by launch an online petition against the closure of the Fife Street facility.
The 40-year-old moved to the Moray Firth coastal community in 2014 and has been a regular at practice, where he has received treatment for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
North-east medical practice to close after GP recruitment issues
He saw the article about the GP issues in the Press and Journal on Saturday and decided to act.
Mr Hunter said: “I suffer from CPTSD and since moving here four years ago I have found the local practice to be incredibly helpful.
“When I saw the news article about it being in danger I felt the least I could do was to start an online petition.
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“I hope that we don’t lose the practice. It’s vital to the community.”
Officials from the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership confirmed that the practice would continue to operate as normal for the next six months.
Mark Simpson, from the body, said: “The Deveron Medical Practice in Banff has unfortunately, like many others across the country, found itself in the position of being unable to recruit a new full-time GP.
“As a result, the doctors have made the difficult decision to hand back their contract to us.
“I appreciate this is an uncertain time for those registered with the practice. Deveron Medical Practice will, however, continue as normal over the next six months and there is no need for patients to change their practice at this time.”
A north-east MP believes the GP recruitment issue with the Deveron Medical Practice is a “direct symptom” of the Scottish Government’s management of the health service.
Banff and Buchan member David Duguid insists it comes down a “failure” by ministers to recruit more GPs.
He said: “There is no doubt where responsibly for this crisis in GP provision lies. This is a direct symptom of SNP mismanagement of the Scottish NHS.
“The Nationalists have been in charge of health for more than a decade,and are simply failing general practice.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said a new GP contract has been negotiated to stabilise income, reduce workload and improve patient care.
He added: “This year we are investing £850,000 in increased support to expand the remote and rural incentive scheme and relocation funds from 44 to 160 rural GP practices.”
