By Edel Kenealy

Copyright dailyrecord

Renfrewshire councillors have thrown their weight behind calls to create a new doctors surgery in Langbank. Elected members of Renfrewshire Council last week voiced their support for a campaign – led by Councillor James MacLaren – to renew GP services in the village. The news comes just weeks after the New Surgery in Kilmacolm confirmed its satellite surgery in Langbank would close. Crucially, under Councillor MacLaren’s plans, the new surgery would come under the umbrella of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and end the anomaly of health services being delivered in a Renfrewshire village by Inverclyde agencies. Councillor MacLaren put forward a motion on the future of health care in Langbank at a recent full meeting of the council. The Scottish Conservative and Unionist councillor – who represents Langbank, Bridge of Weir and Bishopton – said: “The recent decision to close Langbank’s GP surgery was a bitter blow for local patients. “I am determined to keep fighting for them to have provision in their own area so I’m delighted councillors backed my calls for investment in a surgery in Langbank. “I understand many patients in Langbank do already travel to Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow and it is understandable they wouldn’t want to change those arrangements, which is why I put that call in my amendment too.” He added: “If Langbank’s GP surgery is to close its doors, then we must see the SNP government urgently provide more resources to practices in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde who will be taking on even more of a burden in that scenario. Too often our local healthcare services are an afterthought, but I will never stop fighting for them.” The New Surgery in Kilmacolm formally expressed its desire to close the satellite surgery on Station Road in May. Despite a three-month consultation and a campaign to retain the surgery, the bid to close it was formally accepted by Inverclyde HSCP on September 8. A report to the Integrated Joint Board – which oversees the HSCP – explained the surgery had been in place “for many years” as a satellite to the New Surgery and as the main premises is in Inverclyde, its HSCP oversees the contract. It added: “The proposed closure of the Langbank Branch Surgery by the New Surgery (Kilmacolm) is driven by sustainability concerns, operational inefficiencies and the strain of maintaining two sites. “The practice has identified closure will lead to increased appointment capacity at the main site.” Dr Hector Macdonald, clinical director, told the meeting the senior management team “reluctantly” came to the decision to allow the closure but for reasons relating to the long-term sustainability of the New Surgery. These were expanded upon in a report previously compiled by the practice manager and GP partners. It said: “We fully acknowledge that the closure of the branch surgery would represent a loss for the community and for those patients who have valued its presence over the years. “This decision has not been taken lightly. However, the reality is that general practice has changed significantly. The demands on our clinical teams have increased dramatically, with rising patient volumes, more complex care needs and growing administrative responsibilities. Operating across two sites has become increasingly unsustainable under these pressures.” Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here