Plans have been submitted to develop four temporary consulting rooms at Culloden Medical Practice.<\/p>\n
Plans to site a temporary extension at an Inverness GP practice have been submitted amid a fresh warning that new patient registrations may have to close.<\/p>\n
Culloden Medical Practice and Culloden Surgery, which serve a rapidly-growing area of the city, say their current premises no longer meet demand safely or effectively.<\/p>\n
Two years ago, they made the difficult decision to close new registrations for one year.<\/p>\n
In the latest development of the long-running saga to find a solution, a planning application<\/a> has been lodged with Highland Council to create four temporary consulting rooms in modular units in the practice car park in Keppoch Road.<\/p>\n The application, which would include a replacement access ramp and new link section, is for 10 years.<\/p>\n \u2022 No end in sight for Culloden GP crisis as politicians slam delays<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Two Inverness medical practices tell NHS Highland they are closing their doors to new patients<\/a><\/p>\n In a joint statement urging the council to approve the application, Culloden Medical Practice<\/a> and Culloden Surgery<\/a> have voiced strong support for the proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cThe need for this development is both immediate and significant,\u201d it states.<\/p>\n \u201cThe practices have experienced sustained growth in patient numbers, alongside increasing complexity in the care we provide.<\/p>\n \u201cOur current premises are no longer sufficient to meet this demand safely or effectively and haven\u2019t been since discussions started with both NHS Highland and Scottish Government some years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2024, due to increasing patient numbers and a lack of clinical space to accommodate additional GPs and healthcare staff, they closed patient lists to new registrations for one year.<\/p>\n They warn that without additional space they are again approaching a point where they may need to apply to NHS Highland to close the lists again in the very near future.<\/p>\n \u201cClosing our lists means people moving into the area will not be able to access a local GP, and it places additional pressure on other practices,\u201d the statement continues.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is something we only ever do as a last resort when we simply don\u2019t have the space or capacity to safely take on more patients.\u201d<\/p>\n They say the proposed modular extension offers a practical and timely solution.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will allow us to expand our clinical capacity, bring in additional clinicians, improve access to appointments, and reduce waiting times,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will also support the wider multidisciplinary team, enabling us to deliver more services locally and improve patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n They also recognise it would involve the loss of several car parking spaces but say this has been carefully considered and weighed against the clear and pressing need for improved healthcare provision.<\/p>\n They maintain the reduction in parking is modest, and mitigation measures will be explored such as encouraging alternative travel options and scheduling appointments to reduce peak demand.<\/p>\n \u201cUltimately, the impact on parking is outweighed by the substantial benefit to the community,\u201d they state.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout this additional space, we will struggle to meet demand, and access to local primary care services will be significantly affected.<\/p>\n \u201cIn summary, this is a proportionate and necessary development that will enable the practices to continue providing safe, accessible, and high quality care for our growing population.\u201d<\/p>\n Inverness, Skye, West Ross-shire and North Lochaber MP Angus MacDonald and Culloden and Ardersier councillor Trish Robertson last year called on NHS Highland to provide clear updates on the long-term plan for constructing a permanent facility within five years.<\/p>\n They also suggested solutions including using temporary demountable units.<\/p>\n Find out more about planning applications and scheduled road works that affect you at the Public Notice Portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n