Patients can expect lengthy delays in getting GP appointments if planners fail to address the rapid escalation of the population in Inverness.
That’s the fear of community leaders on the eve of a summit this week, which will examine the future of the local service, with doctors and health chiefs.
The population on the east side of the Highland capital is expected to rise to more than 16,000 over the next few decades.
And although infrastructure, including extra medical practices, features in Highland Council’s masterplan, community leaders are increasingly concerned that, with the construction of a new town already underway at nearby Tornagrain, between Inverness and Nairn, planners are not keeping pace with people’s needs.
The Press and Journal understands that doctors are equally concerned about an apparent lack of detailed proposals.
Some councillors have expressed anxiety that funding arrangements have not been mapped out in an area of the city where the only existing GP practice is already oversubscribed.
Smithton and Culloden community council chairman, David McGrath, described the situation as “extremely worrying.”
He added: “The way things are shaping up, patients could ultimately be left waiting weeks to see their own GP due to under-provision of frontline medical services.
“We’ve always been concerned that, although developers are willing to provide sites for community infrastructure such as GP practices, schools and community halls, there has never been any indication of who’s going to pay for it.”
Culloden and Ardersier Highland councillor, Roddy Balfour, is part of the fledgling community liaison group for Tornagrain which has its first meeting next month.
He added: “I’ll give my full support to move things forward whatever the situation is.
“It’s a precarious situation with a population of 8,000 or 9,000 people in that area already.”
He suggested an expansion of the present practice or creation of a new practice in Balloch, or practices at two separate locations.
A spokesman for NHS Highland responded: “There is to be a 12-practice forum for the Inverness practices this week in a meeting with the inner Moray Firth operation unit.
“Practice boundaries is one of the items on the agenda. In addition, a meeting is planned in January for the Inverness, Nairn & Ardersier and East Ross general practices specifically set up to discuss premises.
“During the meeting, attendees will be asked about what their vision for the future might be.
“It’s likely the housing expansion at Tornagrain will be something that will be discussed.”