NHS Grampian will not abandon a remote fishing community by permanently axing its health centre, a north-east MP has pledged.
Residents of Gardenstown feared they would lose local healthcare services after the departure of two doctors resulted in the closure of their practice.
The health board insists the closure of Banff and Gamrie Medical Practice is only a short-term measure, but until the surgery is reopened patients must make the 20-mile round trip to Banff.
The move has raised concerns for vulnerable members of the community since public transport on the coastal route is very limited.
Now Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has said she is confident the surgery will reopen within weeks, following discussions with health bosses.
“The meeting was constructive,” Ms Whiteford said.
“I think what’s important to say is that they are committed to getting the practice reopened as quickly as possible. The other positive bit of news is that they hope to have a pharmacy service up and running this week to deal with prescriptions.”
Ms Whiteford said attracting and keeping key workers – such as doctors and teachers – to rural villages had always been a challenge but that the Gardenstown community had shown great “resilience” in the face of the closure.
“I was reassured that the NHS is determined to find a solution and are working to do that,” she added. “They fully intend to reopen the practice.”
A spokeswoman for the health authority said: “We are making every effort to resolve the staffing difficulties and resume normal service at Gardenstown as soon as possible.”