THE local MP is stepping into the GP crisis in Cardenden and is determined to ensure that the level of service is not totally destroyed.

Kinglassie and Cardenden MP, Peter Grant, has contacted NHS Fife after hearing from constituents concerned about changes at Benarty Medical Practice, which provides part of the GP cover in the ABCD villages, covering almost 5000 people.

Patients at Cardenden Health Centre recently received letters from NHS Fife informing them of changes at the practice, which has been having difficulties recruiting replacement GPs. As a result NHS Fife will take over the delivery of GP services in Cardenden from October this year.

Responding to constituents' concerns, Peter told the Times: “Patients have been asked not to move to other GP practices in the area.

"While I understand some nearby GP practices do have places on their lists, they wouldn’t have capacity to take on the 3000 patients currently registered in Cardenden between them without running the risk of destabilising services for existing patients.

"In the long term it might also make it harder to recruit GPs for Cardenden if too many patients leave.”

Peter concluded: “NHS Fife have experience of running GP practices and they have assured me they are committed to providing a GP service in Cardenden, and will do all they can to deliver the high level of care patients expect.”

Peter Grant