Information was requested from Moffat Medical Practice who responded with timely and detailed responses which are summarised below.

SUMMARY -

Q1: Will the MedPoint machine at Leadhills Surgery be for Wanlockhead too?

A1 Summary: Yes. For Leadhills, Wanlockhead, Abington, Crawford, Elvanfoot, and surrounding areas providing optional 24/7, 365-day access to medications.

Q2: When are you expecting the machine to be operational?

A2 Summary: No specific date is confirmed yet due to ongoing processes, but the practice will provide updates once a timeline is certain, ensuring ample advertising and patient education before the machine is operational.

Q3: Is use of the machine tied to either smart phone or internet use?

A3 Summary: The machine is optional and requires patients to opt-in; a unique SMS code is sent to a mobile phone (no smartphone required) for collection. Patients without mobiles can use a relative’s number or collect from the surgery during regular hours, with fail-safes for poor signal and uncollected medications.

Q4: What proposals do you have if there are patients geographically served by the machine who for one reason or another would find it difficult to use or access?

A4 Summary: The machine is optional, and patients unable to use it can continue collecting medications during surgery hours. It is designed to be safe (CCTV, lighting, temperature-controlled) and accessible 24/7, addressing issues like limited surgery hours, with robust data protection and pharmacy board approvals.

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Additional Question (Follow-up 1): Can you confirm if you plan to continue to offer a service via the village shop for collecting prescriptions?

Additional Question (Follow-up 2): Are there any surgeries still held in Leadhills and will you continue to offer prescription services from the surgery in Leadhills?

Additional Answer Summary 1: The surgery will continue dispensing medications, especially for controlled drugs not suitable for the machine, with no plans to close the Leadhills surgery. The village shop collection is likely to cease due to data protection and regulatory risks, with the machine offering a safer, 24/7 alternative.

Additional Answer Summary 2: No GP clinics are held at Leadhills, but nurse and healthcare assistant clinics continue, with financial constraints limiting further expansion unless government funding improves.

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Wanlockhead Community Council have contacted Leadhills Community Council regarding this as both villages will be served by the proposed machine