WEST Kilbride GP surgery was temporarily closed on Friday morning, as a sign went up outside the practice stating that people who require urgent attention should attend Crosshouse A&E department.

The move resulted in shock expressed on West Kilbride social media pages, and local councillors were also alerted to the situation.

The sign on the West Kilbride Medical Practice stated: “Due to unforeseen circumstances we are unable to see patients this morning. If you require urgent attention please attend Crosshouse Hospital A&E department.” However, the surgery reopened shortly afterwards.

Councillor Joy Brahim said: “It was brought to my attention that this sign was on the door of the West Kilbride Surgery on Friday morning.

“Earlier in the morning I spoke to Eleanor McCallum, Communities and Engagement Manager at NAC to ask for reassurances.

“Ms McCallum states that with two GPs being on leave, a locum doctor was meant to be present this morning; however, they did not come into work.

“She advised however that the surgery has been open since 10.5am on Friday morning, and that the Assistant Nurse Practitioner is seeing patients while home visits are being made by a GP. A GP held the afternoon surgery as normal.”

Earlier in the year, we reported that the NHS vowed to support West Kilbride GP practice after it announced two of its doctors were leaving.

It was a major headache for the surgery as its four doctor service is cut by half, and face a testing time given the national shortage in GPs.

The practice has been operating an ‘on the day’ appointment system since April.

There is now a very limited amount of appointments bookable