Tongue Medical Practice: General Medical Practice contract awarded

8th March 2021

NHS Highland is delighted to announce that the contract for the provision of medical services in Tongue has been awarded.

Partners from Tain and District Medical Group put forward a business case as part of a robust procurement process, and the award was made by a panel including medical, management and community representatives.

The contract has been awarded as a standalone contract and Tongue Medical Practice will move from being a 'vacant' practice back to being an independent practice run by the group of three Partners namely Dr Jesus Ferrer; GP partner, Lorna MacKay; Practice Manager Partner and Lorna Waddell; Advanced Nurse Practitioner Partner.

NHS Highland will work in partnership with the team from Tain and District Medical Group to ensure a seamless and successful transition, with minimal disruption for patients and staff. The contract will begin on Thursday, 1st April 2021.

As part of the contract award, NHS Highland has asked the new partners to focus on adding new skills such as practice nursing to the practice team. This will mean some change to how Tongue Medical Practice has traditionally operated, and will improve care for patients and support for the staff team.

Evan Beswick, Primary Care Manager for the North area said: "Tain and District put forward a really impressive case, which focussed on the value of training, development and support for staff, and on quality and safety in patient care.

"This is essential for safe and modern general practice and I'm delighted to work with the incoming partners to put Tongue on a firm footing for the years to come. I'd like to pay particular tribute to the team at Tongue Medical Practice who have done an incredible job of continuing service delivery over the past year as NHS Highland has worked to procure new partners."

Lorna MacKay, Practice Manager Partner for Tain and District Medical Group said: "We are delighted to have been awarded the GMS contract for Tongue Medical Practice. We will strive to ensure excellent care for our new patients and will work hard to support the brilliant team at Tongue Medical Practice.

"It is important to assure our Tain & District Medical Group patients that this will have no negative effect on the care being provided to them as different staff and additional hours will be utilised for the provision of care in Tongue.

"Staff training and development, continuity of care, good clinical governance are all important to us and we will work together to maintain good services and expand where required."