ANNOUNCEMENT

This message is  to provide key stakeholders with information regarding the future contractual arrangements for The Links Medical Practice following formal notification from the current GP contractor, Ayrshire Medical Group, of its intention to withdraw from their contract with effect from 31 December 2026.

Summary

• The current contractor has provided the required six months’ notice of withdrawal.
• The contractor has confirmed its commitment to maintaining services and supporting a smooth transition until the end of the contract period.
• The contractor has reviewed workforce arrangements and secured GP cover to support service continuity during the transition period.

NHS Fife / Fife HSCP Response

NHS Fife has accepted the contractor’s notice and has commenced planning to ensure continuity of primary care services for affected patients.

A formal procurement process will be undertaken to identify replacement GP contractors for both practices. This process is expected to conclude during autumn / winter 2026.

Contingency Arrangements

Should a replacement contractor not be secured, NHS Fife will assume direct responsibility for the practices and staff under Section 2C arrangements from 1 January 2027.

Under a 2C model:

• The practice remains open and continues to provide primary medical services.
• Clinical and practice staff are generally employed through NHS Board arrangements.
• Patients remain registered with the practice and continue to access GP services locally.
• There is no requirement for patients to re-register elsewhere.

NHS Fife and the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership are offering the following assurances:

• The practices are not closing.
• Patients will continue to have access to GP services.
• NHS Fife has robust contingency arrangements in place.
• The priority is continuity of care, continuity of staffing and a smooth transition.
• Staff, patients, community partners and elected representatives will be kept informed throughout the process.

NHS Fife will also shortly be issuing a news release to local media to inform them of these developments, which will be made available on the NHS Fife website.

Thank you

News about consultations

Dr Yule will still consult on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

New Service - Physio First

A first contact practitioner (FCP) is an experienced physiotherapist who has the advanced skills necessary to assess, diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment or referral for musculoskeletal (MSK) problems on a patient’s first contact with healthcare services e.g when they visit their GP surgery.                              

Patients with MSK complaints can be booked in to see an FCP by a GP receptionist or other healthcare professional.  An FCP offers expert MSK assessment and diagnosis, however, is also integrated within the multi-disciplinary team in each GP Practice.  If appropriate an FCP may prescribe a programme of exercises, refer for blood tests or X-ray, administer steroid injections, utilise local services or refer a patient to an appropriate secondary health service e.g. rheumatology or orthopaedics.

Please speak to our Reception Team who can book you an appointment. 

Mental Health Nurse

We are pleased that we also have a mental health nurse called Rebecca Springthorpe every Tuesday 

The role of a Mental Health Nurse is to build effective relationships with patients who use mental health services and also their relatives or carers, whether that's helping them to take their medication correctly, or advising about relevant therapies or social activities.

Don’t Travel Without It! Apply for Your Free GHIC

 Planning a trip to Europe or certain other countries? Don’t forget your free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)! It’s an important card that can help you get necessary state healthcare if you suddenly fall ill or have an accident while you’re away.

What is a GHIC and Why Do You Need One?

The GHIC is for UK residents and has replaced the older EHIC. It helps you get state-provided medical care in European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland, just like a resident of that country. This means you might get treatment for free, or you’ll pay the same amount a local resident would. It covers medical emergencies, visits to A&E, and even ongoing treatment for long-term conditions.

Important to remember: The GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover things like private medical treatment, being flown back to the UK (repatriation), or lost luggage. Always make sure you have appropriate travel insurance as well.

What Does It Cover?

Your GHIC helps with “medically necessary healthcare.” This is treatment that can’t reasonably wait until you get back home. This includes:

Emergency medical treatment and A&E visits

Treatment for pre-existing or long-term medical conditions

Routine maternity care (unless you’re going abroad specifically to give birth)

Who Can Apply and How?

If you live in the UK, you can apply for a free GHIC. You can also include your spouse, civil partner, and children on your application.

Applying is simple and free! You’ll need:

Your full name and address

Your date of birth

Your National Insurance number

Your Health and Care number (if you’re from Northern Ireland)

You can apply for your card up to 9 months before your current card expires, and it’s usually valid for up to 5 years. Once approved, your card should arrive by post within 15 working days. If you need medical care before your card arrives, you can get a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) for temporary cover.

To apply or find out more, visit the official NHS website:

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Make sure you’re prepared before you travel – having your GHIC sorted can give you peace of mind!

We are often asked what the doctors do when not seeing patients

Every day the doctor will have

• House calls
• Complete DWP reports
• Complete Insurance Reports
• Medication reviews
• Sign Prescriptions
• Deal with any patient queries
• Deal with pharmacy queries
• Attend clinical and non clinical meetings
• Do referrals to hospital
• Deal with discharge letters from hospital
• Deal with the daily mail from hospitals
• Check results that have come in
• Telephone patients
• Deal with any emergencies as they happen
• Liaise with District Nurses and Practice Nurses