Plan for new pharmacy casts doubt over future of surgery

By Alistair Beaton, Press and Journal, Published: 30/06/2010

Loss of dispensing custom and income could limit services practice is able to offer

The future of an Aberdeenshire GP surgery and its dispensing service is in the balance after plans for a new pharmacy were backed.  Last year residents who use the Haddo Medical Practice at Tarves welcomed a health authority decision to reject proposals to convert a former butcher’s shop in the village into a chemist’s shop.

The NHS Grampian ruling was challenged by the TLC Pharmacy group, and yesterday it was confirmed the veto had been overturned following an appeal hearing.

Pharmacy decision

A new pharmacy will after all, be opening in Tarves following a successful appeal to the Government’s NHS National Appeals Panel. Semple and Semple have also asked that the dispensing of medicines stops at all surgeries so that patients can ‘allow access to the full range of pharmaceutical services which will be provided a short distance away in Tarves’

The reaction of Tarves Community Council Chairman, Bob Davidson was one of great disappointment. “All three Community Councils had provided ample evidence of local opinion and a survey of local needs showing it was not required or necessary.” said Bob.

Local Councillor Paul Johnston described the decision as “Just plain Nuts” Concerns, he said. had neen expressed very clearly that removing the shared costs of premises by dispensing medicines at surgeries, may mean their a review of the scope of local GP surgery provsion in the area covered by Haddo Medical Group.

A meeting of the Community Councils has been proposed to look at responses to the news.

Previously, the local Pharmacy Committee of NHS Grampian had rejected the application after hearing from local Community Councils. [see previous story] However, the Local Community Councils or local Councillors are prevented by Government regulations from making representations direct to the National Appeal panel.

Haddo Concert Hall gets a spruce-up

New coat of paint complements timber building’s B-listed status

By Gillian Bell Press and Journal, Published: 27/05/2010

AN ABERDEENSHIRE concert hall has had a lick of paint after being granted B-listed status. The late 19th-century hall, which is next to Haddo House, was listed by Historic Scotland earlier this year in recognition of its significance as a “rare interpretation” of a Canadian-style timber construction.  Its design was inspired by buildings which caught the eye of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen, John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, and his wife, Ishbel Maria Hamilton-Gordon, during their time in Canada.

Senior assistant Christina Wright said: “The concert hall is already looking better as it begins to emerge from its scaffolding, ready to welcome performers and audiences once more. I’m sure the people who use the hall will get a lot out of its repainting, which restores it to the status a listed building deserves.”  The hall has become a world-renowned opera venue in recent years, and has attracted a number of high-profile stars such as Lesley Garrett and the late Sir Benjamin Britten.

It will host a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 12.

Visit the website at www.nts.org.uk/events for tickets and more information.

Haddo Estate Joins call to Protect Rare Birds

LANDOWNERS CALL FOR ACTION TO END POISONING OF BIRDS OF PREY

Big estates join battle to protect rare birds

Press and Journal By Neil MacPhail, Published: 21/05/2010

Prominent Scottish landowners have united to condemn any person who illegally poisons birds of prey or other protected species.

In an unprecedented move, over 200 signed a letter to Environment Minister Rose-anna Cunningham calling for the “full weight of the law” to be brought to bear on those who illegally kill raptors.

The move comes after the remains of three golden eagles, a buzzard and a sparrowhawk were found during the first week of May on or near the grounds of Skibo Castle, near Dornoch, Sutherland. Police are investigating if poisoning was involved.

The letter states: “It is widely recognised that wildlife management is a complex business that continually throws up new challenges, but nothing can justify illegal activity. It is for us a straightforward decision to underline our view of illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out of hand and it has to stop.

“Those of us who live and work in the Scottish countryside are appalled by such behaviour. The only thing that is achieved by such acts is the undermining of the excellent work that is done day in, day out on Scottish estates by owners, land managers and gamekeepers in terms of animal welfare and conservation of Scotland’s natural heritage.

“The message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who have the true interests of the countryside at heart.

“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that message is conveyed across the land management sector. We do not presume guilt nor refer to any particular incident, but the apparent deliberate poisoning of protected species in recent years has left us utterly dismayed.

“We also support the full weight of the law being brought to bear on those who are involved in illegal poisoning and endorse the efforts of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, in which our representative organisations are active and enthusiastic participants.”

The estates said that while wildlife crime had been repeatedly deplored by land management and rural organisations, efforts to eradicate illegal poisoning would be strengthened by individual owners and estates stating their position clearly.

More estates are expected to declare their support in the coming weeks. Signatories include the Duke of Westminster of Reay Forest Estate, Charles Wolridge-Gordon of Esslemont Estate, Ellon, the Earl of Seafield, of Seafield and Strathspey, Lord Aberdeen, of Haddo Estate, the Duke of Argyll and the Duke of Roxburghe, Kelso.