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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Saltoun Surgery opens in Fraserburgh

29/05/2002

Patients in the Fraserburgh area will be able to access an expanded range of
community-based healthcare services in the new Saltoun Surgery, opened
today.

The surgery, built at a cost of £915,000 through the Primary Care
Modernisation Programme, will lead to more joined up health, social and
voluntary care services, including:

- additional GP consulting rooms;
- integration of primary/community care with mental health services;
- dedicated accommodation for the community nursing team;
- accommodation for health visitors and visiting specialists;
- treatment room for minor surgical procedures; and
- possible re-location of social work services.

Opening the surgery, Deputy Health Minister Frank McAveety said:

"Every day 60,000 people visit their family doctor. Community-based
healthcare - from family doctors, practice nurses and health visitors
provide the majority of health care to the majority of people in Scotland.

"This investment in the Saltoun Surgery is not just about a coat of fresh
paint, or a new waiting room. This targeted programme links investment in
expanded and renovated facilities to change and improvements in services
for patients in the Fraserburgh area.

"This new facility in Fraserburgh is a credit to the staff who have worked
so hard to turn this investment into a reality for patients. It is a
shining example of what can be achieved when government, NHSScotland and
NHS staff work together in partnership.

"The new surgery has additional consulting rooms to accommodate the
increased nursing team input and has the expanded facilities to provide
additional services such as diabetes clinics, minor surgery and podiatry
surgery.

"This new development in the North East is one of many opening across
Scotland this year. I intend to visit more developments like this to
encourage staff and patients alike to use and develop services to the
maximum benefit f the local community."

During his visit to the Saltoun surgery Mr McAveety also launched the Banff
and Buchan Diabetes network. Over £250,000 has already been invested in the
project and Grampian Primary Care Trust expects to double that investment
over the next two years.

The network will have a named lead diabetes nurse, GP and audit co-ordinator
who will act as a lead team for diabetes within each Practice. There will
be 3000 extra nurse and 2000 extra GP hours for diabetic patients.

Launching the network the Minister said:

"I am delighted to see that Banff and Buchan LHCC using this investment to
develop diabetic care for patients. Over 2,000 patients will benefit from
easier access to specialist care.

"The network will reduce waiting times for patients and ensure more
consistent monitoring of diabetes across Banff and Buchan.

The Primary and Community care Premises Modernisation programme has
received £48 million over five years. This funding is to ensure more
accessible, high quality services from premises which support the delivery
of modern primary care and joint working between health care professionals
and social care professionals. The programme is currently supporting 100
projects across Scotland.

Grampian is benefiting from £2.7 million of this money. It has funded six
projects - Huntly, Middlefield, Aberlour, Peterhead and Buckie/Keith.

Page updated: Thursday, July 22, 2004