GP services set to return to village's former health centre
“Sorely missed” GP services are set to return to an Angus village following the purchase of its medical centre more than four years after it closed, and Angus councillor has said.
The village and surrounding rural area lost its practice in May 2022 and around 3,500 patients were transferred to Arbroath and Forfar.
The surgery had two full-time GPs but was unable to hire a replacement for one who retired in 2021.
Now Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim councillor Jack Cruickshanks has welcomed news that the surgery could be open again within six months.
An online petition to try and keep the health centre open garnered 1700 signatures, but NHS Tayside went ahead with closure plans.
In 2022, shortly after the closure, a national survey ranked the surgery as the highest-rated GP practice for patient satisfaction in Angus.
The former health centre was put up for sale in 2024 after being deemed surplus to requirements.
It was hoped that the move would allow the health board to funnel the money that would have been spent on the building’s continuing upkeep back into care services.
Angus Medical Group bought the former surgery in Westgate and hopes to open within six months, subject to recruiting a GP, getting regulatory approvals and finishing renovations.
Mr Cruickshanks said the latest development in the continuing saga of the health centre is “hugely encouraging news” for the village and for the wider area that it also serviced.
He said: "I'm delighted to share that Angus Medical Group has purchased the former Friockheim surgery and is working towards opening a new GP practice and specialist health centre.
“Renovations are under way, with most furniture already in place.
"The closure in 2022 was a huge blow, with so many residents left travelling a long way appointments.
“Dr Scallan was working with locum doctors for two years before the difficult decision to close the practice and still managed to top the satisfaction survey.
“I think that speaks to the strategic importance of health services in the middle of Angus and how sorely missed Friockheim GP has been.”