Please note minutes are usually published after approval at the following month’s meeting.
Published early unapproved so may be subject to changes
LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MAY 2025
Meeting held :
WEDNESDAY 14th May 2025
LANGBANK COMMUNITY CENTRE, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD @ 7.30pm
Start and welcome
Present:
Jacqueline Doherty, Julie Gilmour, Caroline Bryce, Maggie Hancock, James Hunter, John O’Brien, Carly Deheer
Also in attendance:
Hector MacDonald, Alan Best, Barry McCusker, Kim Stark,
Cllr James MacLaren, Cllr Colin McCulloch, Iain McDougall, Caroline MacLean, Graham Hill, John Carson, Rosemary Carson,
Micheal MacLeod, David Wood, Jane Wood, Lesley Crawford, Irene Gallacher, Phil O’Brien, Colin Mathieson,
Katherine Mathieson, Oriana Hughes, Ann Brown, Elizabeth Burns, M Pursley, AJ Pursley, C McIntosh, PA Morrison,
D Hallworth, D Hallworth, Jane Cusiter, Brian Cusiter, Garrey Whyte, Muriel Colquhoun, Rosemary Masterton
Apologies:
Lesley Fairlie, Cllr Fiona Airlie-Nicolson
JD - introduced :
Hector MacDonald, Alan Best from Inverclyde HSCP, attending to gather information as part of
Consultation process,
Kim Stark & Barry McCusker GPs representing the New Surgery
Noted that the consultation process is a 2 way process – reasons and listening
POLICE REPORT
2 police officers attendance – Michelle Williams & Andrew Hodge
Both are new to their posts and wanted to attend to introduce themselves
Between 1st and 30th April 2025 - 2 crimes recorded;
Anti Social 1 Wilful fire raising of vehicle - enquiries ongoing
OTHER 1 someone in grounds of hotel without authority – Gleddoch Hotel
- arrested immediately
Asked for Feedback from residents
RES - Youths at station, often at around 11.30pm– Police will pass concerns to CCTV section
CB – raised issues with speeding on Dual carriageway, particularly bad at the moment. – police aware and
will feedback to Traffic. Police office also ID’d roundabout issues.
They will try to attend when shifts allow. Will submit monthly report.
Visiting MUGA, 45 kids tonight
Acceptance of last meeting minutes - WEDNESDAY 12th MARCH 2025
Proposed: Julie Gilmour Seconded : Caroline Bryce
Planning & Village updates - any discussion pertaining to these topics will follow after main agenda point
LOCAL PLACE PLAN – Funding application LPP 22nd May brief description, noted that we will need support
from wider community
GALA DAY Change of date to 6th September
CLEAN UP DAY This Sunday 2pm 18th May – Meet at Swing parks, Middlepenny Road & Station Road
PROPOSED CLOSURE DOCTOR’S SURGERY
JD addressed meeting.
Prepared a list of concerns following feedback from the community. In the interest of fairness this document was shared with our 4 visitors prior to meeting so that they had a rough idea what kind of questions will be discussed. We will work through the headers ; consultation process, then transport issues, loss of dispensary, facility issues with alternative practices, and then some of the Scottish government targets.
As a community council, we will be submitting a report as part of consultation process.
To ensure all views represented JD asked if anyone attending the meeting to support the proposed closure – No
• The consultation process
Who will be consulted?
Will ALL patients at the New Surgery, not just those using the Langbank Surgery being consulted.
Patients at potentially impacted surgeries in Bishopton and Port Glasgow.
BM - the consultation process requires contact with Langbank patients only,
900 patients 25% over 65. The New surgery applied to the Inverclyde HSCP for a closure of LB surgery which triggers a 3 month consultation period
HD confirmed above, responsibility of the HSCP to consult with other agencies - LCC being one.
All local GP practices who might be affected, Pharmacies, elected councils, MSP, the local medical committee which is a GP Union. Noted the Langbank is slightly unusual, sits in Renfrewshire council but historically served be practice which lies within Inverclyde HSCP has provided general practice.
LB surgery is a branch of The New Surgery in Inverclyde falls into Inverclyde HSCP – Bishopton GP practice doesn’t cover Langbank, however Renfrewshire HSCP will be involved in all stages of the process – Hector’s counterpart at Renfrewshire is fully involved in the consultation process.
Qu : will closure of LB impact Kilmacolm patients and also noted Council tax paid into Renfrewshire
ie in to Renfrewshire but out of Inverclyde
HM / AB confirmed Council tax does not pay for GP practice healthcare, funded by NHSGGC.
BMc GP – Finances GP has changed a lot in 20 years with a huge reduction in funding. There is an additional burden with overheads running two sites. The Dispensary is now losing money due to a number of factors including drug costs increase and no change in rebate in 20 years. Previously the dispensary was profitable and helped subsidise the additional costs for Langbank branch. Recent years staffing has been an issue; difficult to recruit dispenser and now dispensary not fit for purpose. Patients can access a full range of services by attending a Pharmacy a service which cannot be offered by surgery such as, over the counter medication and Pharmacy advice. Most pharmacies offer a free delivery service, Boots being the exception.
The current building on Station Road is no longer fit for purpose and lease runs out on August 2025.
Consideration needs to be taken to ensure that the GP practice is future proofed.
Difficulty of recruiting GPs to work in a 2 branch surgery and a more suitable and attractive new building at 1 site. They do understand the issues with lack of transport
Qu – why is the practice being referred to like as a business, it’s a service not a business also wanted to know where is the money going – would like to see the figures, JD suggested FOI
It was noted that GP practice is actually a partnership business. As such may not be subject to FOI request.
HM – GP practices are small business so are employers, contract services to the NHS. They have all responsibility to run as a business, which cant run if its loss making.
KS GP – we don’t see it as a business but as a vocation and strive to provide best service to all of our patients but they also have a responsibility to pay staff and we are struggling, the proposed changes are the needed to provide the best and safest care for all and wider patient community, Patients are better serviced by improved building, the GPs wanted to confirm that they want to do the best by LB residents. We want to ensure you all this is not the end, we want to do the best by Langbank patients
Qu – if benefactor funded could surgery remain open?
KS – government recent announcement that since early 2000s proportion of primary care was 11%, now 6%. Decision not taken lightly or without due consideration and would like to assure that we want to do the best for you all to make proposed changes work.
Qu – bottom line is government needs to put more into NHS
KM - currently only dispensing practice in GGCH, difficult to train, retain and employ staff. Concerns about the sustainability of the practice in the long term.
Qu – would it be possible to remain open on a part time basis if dispensing part removed as having the doctor is the most important part of the service
BM – the issues is that NHSGGC have frozen investment in practices, which is a national
Local councillors and elected member of neighbouring surgeries who may be impacted. It is our understanding that the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) will ultimately be the decision makers, with the decision being made by the voting members from Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and council representatives from Inverclyde
JD – have alternatives to closure been considered ?
H - if there were other options available they would be considered however GP practices are a small businesses contracted by NHS, GP practice cannot continue if its running at a loss
BM - NHSGGC has frozen all investment in practices.
JMcL - Langbank residents unable to join Bishopton for historical reason, should this policy be changed - RC has increased funding to Renfrewshire HSCP by 19%
H – suggested that capacity at Bishopton practice may be an issue with housing development
JD – Bishopton community council have feedback that residents have concerns about a change to include Langbank residents in practice catchment as there are already concerns about current service.
JMcL – Bishopton satellite centre is close to being open
It was noted that the satellite centre is improved facility but with no additional staff resource
H – Port Glasow Health centre houses 3 GP practices, none of these have any capacity issues for new patients currently
Qu - Would it be economical without dispensary
BM – this is not being considered as an option as two sites are main cost.
It was noted by previous Qu would still like to see the financial evidence behind this decision.
Is that information shareable
KM - LB is a branch surgery, making economic decisions for all patients – bills are causing a problem and impacting service to all patients.
How is the additional money to Renfrewshire Council being used?
HM – split in funding sources, funding from local council budget (ie Renfrewshire in LB) is health and social care budget not GP care, funding for that comes from NHSGGC
Alan – GP practices are a business as such finances are a commercially sensitive issue, not a public liability
Qu – NHSGGC must be aware of financials
JMcL – Could the current building could be used by another GP practice?
It was noted that the current owner of the building is A Wootton
H – GP practice is not commercially viable at less than 3000 patients,
JoB – Landlord must prefer that the building be rented, if we removed pharmacy and with council assistance or Health board funding assisted with rental as they do with for example retail units in town centres.
BM confirmed Current lease on the building runs out at end of AUGUST
How have concerns raised about the consultation process, been dealt with?
Not all patients received letters in post.
Only one consultation per household, with instructions that the person completing the form should indicate number of people included. Surely it should be made clear that each individual in the house should be encouraged to complete their own form.
BM confirmed that every Langbank patient household was sent a letter and also sent a text
Foregone Conclusion?
Consultation is merely a tick box exercise with decision already being made. Some Langbank patients, receiving regular appointments, have already been advised not to make their July appointment for Langbank.
Some Langbank patients concerned about waiting times for appointments; 6 weeks in some cases and that’s up in Kilmacolm. Speaking to their friend and family in Kilmacolm waiting times not so long.
KM - advised business as usual – nothing has changed, equivalent service and appointment waiting times offered to Kilmacolm and LB patients – strained in both practices
AB – we are at the start of a consultation – ultimately there is an agreed process that is implemented by Inverclyde HSPC and presented to Senior mgt team who will make a balanced decision on ALL facts, then presented to Joint board including Cllrs and health board. He reiterated that he and Hector had attended the meeting to listen to the POV and concerns of the community
JoB – if recommendation from board is the Langbank surgery needs to remain open – where would funding come from
H – this would go back to the board of NHSGGC who would then need to engage in discussion with both Inverclyde and Renfrewshire HSCPs
JoB – where would funding come from
AB – confirmed that NHSGGC would need to source from their budget, where from in their budget would need to be a decision for NHSGGC
JoB – this sounds like a lengthy process, what happens if lease runs out of sooner?
H – proposals would need to be put to board, it should be noted that the practice would have right of appeal, Unable to comment if process will be longer than current lease period.
BM – confirmed that they have notified the landlord that they are proposing to close surgery and this has triggered 3 months consultation, however they have requested that lease could be extended n monthly basis as required.
FEEDBACK to practice – every individual should be given opportunity to respond, it was noted that that wording / distribution of information and questionnaire didn’t make that clear.
• Transport could be a significant issue.
- Public transport is limited and can be unreliable, with trains often cancelled at very short notice. Quickest journey time approx. 30 minutes but that’s if train and buses running to time. more realistically minimum of 1 hour. Times when buses don’t algn
- Not everyone has a car, or some may be unable to drive due to health conditions, but do not qualify as housebound. Reliant on others - might not qualify as housebound
-
- This is something New Surgery is aware of, and the advice given is: If you feel you cannot travel to Kilmacolm, you may wish to register with another GP practice closer to home. As long as you live within their practice’s boundary, you can.
- Even for those with access to a car the drive to Kilmacolm can be off-putting, especially during winter months.
- Car parking in Kilmacolm can be extremely difficult which is an additional problem for elderly, disabled or less able patients. A patient with an appointment in Kilmacolm this week could get no space within the vicinity of the surgery, thankfully they were able to manage the walk from one of the streets out with the centre of Kilmacolm.
- Child appointments become more problematic, particularly if being taken out of school to attend an appointment. This results in greater inconvenience and importantly additional lost learning time.
Show of hands unanimously agree to points raised above
Qu – the government are encouraging us not to use car, the surgery closure will increase the number of cars on road,
AB – HSC – transport will always be part of decision making - as well as public transport provision, parking costs and availability. There is a Finite space to add facilities and often hard to please everyone. Provided reassurance that transport is a large consideration of consultation
JD – when sending feedback, should the transport specific information included in an individual’s feedback?
AB – All information and details are useful
HM – with regard to managing feedback – LCC collate info to be provided to Inverclyde HSPC – All affected individuals should contact elected members.
• Loss of local chemist facility
This has been explained in letter from New Surgery and alternative to travelling to a chemist is for patients to have medication delivered. Who pays for this service? Patients, health board, local council….
JD – delivered prescriptions who pays?
H – advised PG pharmacies will provide free delivery service for prescriptions
Noted that Boots charge –following short discussion it would be the case that charges are down to individual pharmacies. Distance shouldn’t be an issue, already a few prescriptions that are delivered to Langbank residents
GH – told by his own consultant that if he lived near Bishopton – it should be collected from a Bishopton pharmacy, however noted that this was not the GP.
COSTS are pharmacy dependent
• Issues with alternative practices
Port Glasgow is already a busy practice, with some potential patients already being advised that it may be difficult to register, which raises concerns around the negative impact that would have on waiting times on that practice.
Bishopton is already a very busy practice with their residents already concerned about the wait time for appointments or even trying to get through on the phone to make an appointment. This is a regular topic at Bishopton Community Council meetings. There will be a new satellite surgery which may make it easier, but community understanding is that there won't be any more doctors, just more consulting rooms. Someone who recently moved to Inchinnan wasn't able to register with Bishopton and indeed had a hard time finding a doctor with space for him and his wife in the local area. As Dargavel continues to increase in size, people are concerned that they would be unable to register with the Bishopton practice.
Are our other local surgeries likely to refuse to register you as a new patient?
These issues have been discussed / answered in consultation section above.
• Scottish Government targets
One of our residents, and patient of the New Surgery, is a lecturer in Health and Social Care and the Integration Agenda and is very aware of the challenges faced by Health and Social Care partnerships, however the Scottish Government are committed to ensuring that care and services are delivered closer to home. Closing the Langbank surgery is contradictory to this, in particular giving the ageing population within Langbank.
The surgery in Langbank provides a critical frontline service to the community, particularly for those living with chronic conditions, older residents, and people without access to private transport. Its loss would have a
profound and disproportionate impact on local health outcomes, directly undermining equitable access to care. In their National Health and Social Care Standards the Scottish Government (2017) clearly state that care should be "respectful and inclusive" and should promote "dignity and respect" and "compassion." Removing a vital local service threatens to breach these principles.
Has a Health Inequality Impact Assessment has been undertaken by Inverclyde HSCP for the residents of Langbank, recognising that this sits within the Local Authority of Renfrewshire?
FN & Helen question
HM - Health Inequality Impact Assessment is submitted - tonight’s info plus other feedback adds into part of the process, has responded direct to resident
AB – legal doc where there is a change or redesign – checks and balances, any changes have an equal impact
All members on the integrated joint board will receive a EIQA – - further down the line. – after consultation
Need to acknowledge the Aging population in LB - put to room – general agreement
This Relates directly to Equitable access topic – 20% of the current patients are over 65
JD addressed the room -
Are all points raised so far valid and considerate of the community ? – Agreed
Further points
Questionnaires – Surgery collates all the details on Questionnaires and submits
HM & AB will pull all other information collated together
Rm - Issue with a replacement practice maybe only be attractive / economically viable – single handed practioner which in itself can be problematic.
Also issues with Langbank geographically being on edge of RC council
JMcL – Inverclyde practioners and cllrs – why would they spend money on a Renfrewshire village
AB – confirmed No Financial gain for Inverclyde – IHSPC – no extra funding for either decision
NHSGGC & nationally funded – healthcare financed thru board
HM & AB reiterated that decision would be based on what’s best for the community
JD will CC all Inverclyde cllrs on correspondence
JG – Langbank residents options are Kilmacolm with current practice or join a PG practice
H- only one month into consultation – Ren HSPC may have option
General feeling is to move away from Solo practices
Any practice taking over current building would have same 2 sites costs
MC – clarification on GGC health board funds GP practices, complicated
H - funding – per head of population, amount varies per head and is dependent on various factors such as age, deprivation, specific health issues. etc
AB – health boards have multiple factors
Decision for IHSPC – is not a funding , Prescription is the only cost funded by IHSPC
Qu - If it was an independent surgery, ie not a branch of Kilmacolm practice, LB surgery would be Renfrewshire HSCP.
IMPACT
Rm – noted a concern about turn out to meeting and lack of “younger” residents
JD – that this is a representative group of village and indeed is the largest turn out there has been for many years - LCC feedback will represent the whole village, however it is important that everyone impacted takes individual action as there can often be a “someone else will do it” assumption.
JD – pointed out that Langbank residents often feel socially isolated – loss of services compounds this
AB – all communities are affected by the current changes to the way healthcare is provided eg- changes in technology , video and telephone call appts. Changes in the way Healthcare is delivered nationwide.
Thanks to HM, AB, BM and KS for attending the meeting
Left at 2104 HM, AB, BM, KS plus a couple of other attendees.
Next steps
LCC will respond to Inver HSCP and all elected members & Inverclyde
Also noted that biggest impact will be individual voices making contact with elected members - numbers in iNBOX
Rm – upset that her FB Comment was refused as does not meet guidelines
“John Swinney - 100,000 new appointments in Scotland “
LCC FB admin do not have a record of this individual as a member of the group or the comment that was not approved.
JD – admin took decision to turn off commenting on related posts as vital that all information was correct, some of initial comments were factually incorrect
QU - Could we be a satellite surgery for Bish – if we were ReN HSPC – this could provide an alternative for Bishopton and Dargavel residents
AGREEMENT was made in the room that HARDCOPY info leaflet to all village households
Is the consensus – residents should be encouraged to contact the elected members
– no of emails in INBOX makes a huge difference
Suggestion ONLINE Petitions - concern raised that proforma messages do not have the same impact
More impactful if its PERSONAL, encourage people to send issues pertaining to them to elected members,
Far left – offered to drop hardcopy to each household
JMcL – aim to IHSPC
JD - FN contacted the Icllrs will cc LCC notes
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
VILLAGE CLEAN UP - organised clean up day Sunday 18th May
– if you can’t make it this Sunday get in touch and get involved on a day you can !
8. AOB
• Svenja Meyerricks, one of the Development Officers, asked if we would be interested in a short presentation and Q&A about the work of Renfrewshire Climate Action Hub at one of your meetings? If so they are available to join our June meeting.Information received:
We're only a few months old, but in this time have worked with our partners to plant thousands of trees, ran repair and upcycling workshops, and support food growing and education for sustainability. We also launched Renfrewshire Climate Action Network (RenCAN), who has over 60 member organisations to date. Last year we distributed small grants for climate action projects among our membership, and hope to be in a position again this year to do the same. All Community Councils are welcome to join the network if they have an interest in taking action on climate change.
JG – Primary School may be interested
• SEPA consultation on a proposed Environmental Performance Assessment Scheme (EPAS) - a fair way to report on performance. LCC member to attend – SEPA
Invite issued as part of community consultation to attend Teams information sessions – details received:
We have planned engagement activities to provide an opportunity to find out more. The ‘Communities’ on-line information session is taking place on Wednesday 4th June at 7pm and will run for 60 minutes. This is a Teams session – you can register online to attend the session – EPAS Communities Information Session - Scottish Environment Protection Agency - Citizen Space.
MH feedback that Graham Brown would be able to get funding from VIRGIN bank charitable fund for educational related spend – LCC will get in touch with the school to advise
Due to time constraints there was insufficient time to include local councillor reports, however Cllr MacLaren provided this via email.
Attached below
Also attached :
Langbank surgery - “SO WHAT CAN WE DO?”
Hector MacDonald email to LCC
Closure letter, FAQs & Langbank Surgery Consultation Questionnaire
Langbank May CC Report from Councillor James MacLaren
Roads
Station Road Wall: - I am still trying the get the damaged wall at the bottom corner repaired.
Broken sign, A8 Westferry: - This work should be completed mid-May.
Damaged sign, A8 Langbank: - I have reported the sign on the A8 trunk road on the approach to the Langbank roundabout which is down and an instruction will be raised for repairs. This sign may be on the storm damage list which is extensive and the teams are working through this.
Traffic Calming, Main Rd: - Roads will assess whether there is any appropriate signage for the vicinity of the Muga. Roads are currently in the process of identifying activities to progress as part of our 2025/26 programme, and will be giving due consideration to some form of Langbank wide road safety activity.
A8 Roundabout: - I am chasing up the survey results which Transport Scotland should have.
Potholes
Main Road: - Arrangements will be made to fill potholes. Also, it will be considered for next year’s resurfacing programme.
OGR, Finlaystone Bridge: - The bridge surface is maintained by Inverclyde Council. I have requested Inverclyde Council to make repairs. I also arranged for an inspection of the defects on the Renfrewshire Council’s side which leads up to the sign indicating the start of Inverclyde’s area approximately 20 metres before the bridge.
Planning Matters
Telephone Pole: - The tall telephone pole on Middlepenny Rd was undertaken in line with the relevant legislation (permitted development rights application to a code operator, in this case Openreach).
Streetlighting
Westferry: - Transport Scotland has agreed to upgrade the lighting in this area with new LED lanterns. Amey has concluded their investigations and are currently undertaking the design of this and are hopeful of having these works completed this Summer.
Middlepenny Rd: - lamppost R12 will shortly go out to tender with the next batch of lamppost replacements. R14 will be investigated and may be replaced at the same time.
Langbank Surgery Closure
I have had a number of press and TV articles and have written to the Secretary for Health Neil Gray MSP. I do not agree with the closure. I will also put the survey forms on Facebook.
Trees, Road Sweeping, Refuse, Fly Tipping
Trees: -
Middlepenny Rd: - A young sapling has been planted to replace the tree cut down last year.
Tree Damage, Station Rd: - Following the storm damage, I have requested repair to the bent handrail and to have the fence looked at to make it safe.
Tree Blocking Public Path - Douglas Avenue: - The landowner has been asked to cut the tree back, and has agreed to this.
Advance Notice Of Street Sweeping: - I have requested that Neighbourhood Services provide dates of where and when sweeping takes to place to allow residents to remove cars, where possible, from the roadside. I will publish dates on Facebook when known.
Erskine Recycling Centre: - Glass can be recycled at the HWRC centre, although sometimes the container is full waiting to be changed over.
Green Recycling Bin: - It should be noted that no bags, even bin bags, should be left in the green recycle bins.
Rubbish on Middlepenny Road: - There still appears to be ongoing issues with rubbish at the bottom property.
Bishopton to West Ferry Active Travel
Council has proposed a shared cycle/pedestrian pavement to Bishopton from Westferry. I have suggested the old service road from Hatton Brae to the mansion at The Good Shepherd Centre would be a better option. The proposal for a cycle track along the A8 was not popular both with drivers and families on bikes.
Bus Services
SPT are unable to provide a bus service to Langbank and say McGill’s are not prepared to revise their existing routing. I am investigating the possibility of a Community Bus which could possibly be a joint venture between Langbank and Bishopton.
Education Issues
Free for 3 Nursery School Hours: - Following a motion by opposition councillors, the council have overturned their decision on the 3-year-old funding. Now active from 1 month after the child turns 3.
Review of Schools: - I will request a review of the decision made by the Education and Children’s Services Board in May 2023 to expand PM HS, based on new information that is now available. The decision was made back then prior to updated data published a week later.
It should be noted that this was in response to requests from Bishopton CC and Dargavel PC. Neither LCC nor LPP have requested this. Concerns have been raised by PMHS PC and other feeder primaries that a delay to building the extension could be more detrimental to the pupils attending Park Mains in the coming years (especially 2027 onwards).
Glyphosate Application, Notice to Pet Owners
There have been a few pets affected by the weed spraying. For cycle 1, Langbank was treated on 25th April. I will share the schedule for cycle 2 when known.
Resident Survey
This Council survey seeks views on Renfrewshire as a place to live, asks what the Council is doing well and where improvements can be made, and gives communities the opportunity to outline what they believe should be prioritised. You can access this at https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/resident-survey The survey will close on Friday 6 June, ‘25.
Village Hall
I have an offer of chairs from both BoW Parish Church and C7 church
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
Langbank Community Council will provide feedback as part of the consultation, however they are only one voice. It is vital that each family impacted by the proposal has their voice heard. To do so you must:
• Complete the questionnaire from the New Surgery
You should have received one through the post OR a text from the New Surgery with a link to this. Alternatively these were provided on previous post.
It is advisable for each family member to complete their own survey and should you require further copies these are available at the surgery in Langbank.
In addition to completing the survey you could write to the Surgery to provide additional feedback or if you have specific questions you wish to have answered.
• Contact the Inverclyde HSCP
They will ultimately provide necessary permissions for New Surgery to close Langbank Surgery. There is a dedicated email address to deal with the Langbank consultation, therefore please email langbankconsultation@inverclyde.gov.uk
The clinical director of Inverclyde HSCP has indicated that he will attend our next Community Council meeting, however even if you are able to attend it is essential that those with concerns email at above address.
• Contact our MP, Alison Taylor.
One of our residents attended a meeting with Alison to present community concerns. Alison is keen to be supportive and will endeavour to look further into the situation, indicating that she would try to organise a meeting with representatives from the New Surgery. However it is important that Alison hears from as many residents as possible, with their individual concerns so please take time to email our MP at alison.taylor.mp@parliament.uk
• Contact our MSP
Our MSP Natalie Don has also been made aware of the situation and is also keen to support – once again our MSP needs to hear from individuals so please direct emails to her at Natalie.Don-Innes.msp@parliament.scot
• Contact our local councillors
All three of our local councillors have been made aware of the situation and are indeed keen to offer support so please include them in any of the communication you make. As previously mentioned all of our elected members will be included within the consultation and therefore it is vital that they are aware of how people are feeling and any concerns which they may have.
Contact details are:
cllr.fiona.airlie-nicolson@renfrewshire.gov.uk
cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk
cllr.colin.mcculloch@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• Make sure your neighbours are aware
The New Surgery should have informed all patients, however there were issues with some of the letters, therefore please reach out and make sure people are aware.
The majority of patients aren’t on the Facebook page and therefore please share with neighbours and mention it at any village group which you are part of.
This proposal will be discussed at the next meeting of the Community Council, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday 14th May in the Village Hall. These are open meetings with all welcome. Following this meeting the CC will make their submission to the Inverclyde HSCP.
From: Hector MacDonald Subject: Consultation on the request by the New Surgery (Kilmacolm) to close their Langbank branch surgery and dispensary
Dear Ms Doherty
I am contacting you in your role as secretary of the Langbank Community Council.
The New Surgery in Kilmacolm has made a request to Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and Inverclyde HSCP to close their branch surgery and attached dispensary in Langbank.
The request triggers a consultation process. The Practice are required to consult with their patients over a 3 month period and the HSCP are required to consult with other interested parties . In this case Elected officials, GP practices and Pharmacies and the local Community Council.
I enclose the documentation being sent out by the practice to their patients which explains the reasons behind the request and the proposed changes and mitigations they intend to put in place.
The practice has 3600 patients and around 900 of those use the Langbank branch surgery. The majority of patients in Langbank are registered with the New Surgery although a small number of residents are registered with GP's in Port Glasgow (approx 10%).As you will see from the attached documents the practice still intends to continue to provide care to their Langbank patients from the main base in Kilmacolm.
I'm happy to answer any questions or provide more information on request. I'd be grateful if any formal feedback could go to our dedicated email address of langbankconsultation@inverclyde.gov.uk
The consultation period will close 3 months from the date of this email.
Dr Hector Macdonald
Inverclyde HSCP
Clinical Director
_________________________________________________________________________________ 24th April 2025 Dear Patient We are writing to you with news related to our Langbank Branch Surgery. You will be aware that we have been working a temporary reduced opening hours service at Langbank since Monday 21st October 2024. We have been monitoring and reviewing the situation and are having ongoing difficulties in continuing to resource two sites. We have therefore, reached the hard decision to seek permission from the HSCP to consolidate service provision at our main premises in Kilmacolm and close The Langbank Surgery and dispensary. We wish to reassure you that our commitment to provide you with high quality patient care will continue from our Kilmacolm surgery or if you are registered housebound, we will continue to provide ANP or GP led visits to you at home. In order to assist in the wide ranging consultation process that is required prior to such a decision being approved the Practice are undertaking a survey of those patients who are registered at Langbank. This will give you the opportunity to make your views known on the proposal to close The Langbank Surgery. Your views and suggestions will help us to overcome any challenges that our patients may experience as a result of the closure. The consultation process will include your MP, MSP, Councillors, Community Pharmacies and Local Community Groups. We would encourage you as a patient or a carer to complete and return the attached questionnaire.The consultation process will be open until 25th July 2025. Please see our attached FAQs regarding this decision and hope this answers any questions you may have. Yours sincerely, The New Surgery
Langbank Surgery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Why can’t things stay the same? Closing the Langbank Surgery branch will support the Practice to continue to deliver services to their patients and ensure a sustainable practice and workforce in the long term. What do the changes to the Langbank surgery mean for me and/or my family? All existing patients will remain registered with The New Surgery. This means that you will access all your health care needs from the Kilmacolm premises. The practice remains committed to delivering Health Care Services to all their registered patients either via telephone, or face to face consultations from Kilmacolm or if you are registered housebound, we will continue to provide ANP or GP led visits to you at home. It is already difficult to get an appointment, surely this will impact further with all New Surgery patients having to attend the one site in Kilmacolm? The practice is not reducing the number of appointments available to patients or reducing staffing levels. The practice anticipates that having the same resources, but over less sites, will allow them to manage patient demand more efficiently. Kilmacolm has adequate consulting rooms to manage the increase of appointments being delivered. Will there be more doctors and nurses available at Kilmacolm? Yes, the clinical staff from the Langbank branch site will be working in Kilmacolm. Providing care from one site will support the practice to have a greater range of clinical expertise available under the same roof, enhancing patient care and safety and providing better continuity of care for patients. Doctors will save time travelling between the two sites as well as saving time dealing with the dispensing element of Langbank. This means that we will be able to provide more clinical appointments. Why are you closing the Langbank Dispensary? This is a historical arrangement usually made for rural practices a long distance from local pharmacies. We are the only dispensing practice in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board and do not have access to the same range of stock as Community Pharmacies often resulting in paper prescriptions rather than dispensed drugs. The closure would allow our GPs to give more time to patient appointments rather than the time consuming processes involved in running a dispensing business. It will not be easy for me to collect my prescriptions from Kilmacolm. Arrangements are already in place to allow patients to order repeat prescriptions via our telephone script line or on-line. A number of local pharmacies already collect prescriptions from Kilmacolm and we anticipate this would be the case for your prescriptions. You would then have the option of home delivery or collection from a local pharmacy of your choice during pharmacy opening hours which are longer and more flexible than the current Langbank dispensary hours.
Langbank Surgery Consultation Questionnaire The New Surgery are consulting with patients and interested parties to propose to permanently close our surgery at Langbank. The purpose of the Consultation is to understand and consider all views on the proposal and fully understand what the impacts of the change may be. The letter and additional Consultation documents have been sent to all registered households and we ask that you read these documents to understand the reasons for the proposal before you complete the Questionnaire. 1. Please tick one of the boxes below: I am... o A patient o A carer/relative/friend responding on behalf of a patient o Prefer not to say o Other 2. Which surgery do you normally go to for your appointments? o Langbank o Kilmacolm o I attend both o Not applicable 3. How often in the last 12 months have you visited Langbank for an appointment or service? o Never o 1-3 times o 4-6 times o 7-9 times o 10+ o Not applicable 4. How would you normally get to Langbank Surgery? o Car o Walk o Train o Lift with someone else o Mobility scooter o Not applicable o Other 5. In the event of Langbank surgery closing how would you access GP services? o Attend Kilmacolm site by car o Attend Kilmacolm site by public transport o Attend Kilmacolm site by other means o Register at a different GP Practice o Other If other, please specify
6. Thinking about the proposed amalgamation of services at Kilmacolm, what impact do you consider this will have on you?
Little or no impact
Positive
Negative
Not sure
Prefer not to say
7. Please tell us the reason for your answer:
8. How did you become aware of this patient consultation?
Letter or text message from the practice
Information in one of the New Surgery premises
A friend or family member told me
A voluntary/community organisation informed me
Newspaper
Social media (Facebook/Twitter)
NHS or Council website
Other
If other, please specify
9. Is there anything else you would like us to know or consider regarding this proposal?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this Questionnaire. If you need more copies please ask at either site.
Please submit or return your Questionnaire to either of The New Surgery sites by the 25th July 2025.
If you wish to leave your details please do so:
Name…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address…………………………………………………………………………………………
Number of individuals within the household this response applies to……………..