Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, recently visited Dunblane Health Centre to meet some of the local healthcare professionals who are part of the wider GP practice team.
These included the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Brian Shepherd, Advanced Practice Physiotherapist Ross Mayberry, Pharmacist – Jenny Allardyce, Mental Health Team Leader – Stacy McIntosh and Healthcare Support Worker – Alison Allen.
He also confirmed additional funding to improve services for patients across Scotland by expanding teams within GP practices and modernising telephone systems within practices to improve call waiting times for patients.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It was a pleasure to visit Dunblane Health Centre where the multidisciplinary team of health professionals has been successfully supporting patients for some time. GP surgeries provide a wide range of services, supporting both the physical and mental health of patients. The contribution general practice makes to the health and wellbeing of communities is invaluable. This funding will improve how general practice services are delivered and in turn enhance the patients’ experience of accessing care.
Chief Executive of NHS Forth Valley, Cathie Cowan, said: “NHS Forth Valley was one of the first Health Boards in Scotland to pilot the introduction of physiotherapists and mental health nurses in local GP practices and has invested in the development of multidisciplinary teams to support local GP across the area.
“The feedback from local patients who used these services has been very positive as they really appreciate being able to see a wider range of healthcare staff, including physiotherapists and mental health nurses, in their local GP practice. It also supports GPs by freeing up time to spend with patients with more complex health conditions.”
