MORE than 20 GP practices across Ayrshire will be closed tomorrow afternoon for staff training.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has confirmed that GP services within 22 practices will close from 1pm to 5.30pm on Thursday, March 9 to allow staff to participate in protected learning time (PLT) training.

The PLT sessions allow surgeries to carry out staff training for the whole practice team.

Other practices in the area have already taken part in the PLT training at the end of February and on Tuesday this week (March 7).

The GP practices affected by tomorrow's closures are:

North Ayrshire

  • Bourtreehill Medical Practice, Irvine
  • Saltcoats Group Practice
  • Dalry Medical Practice
  • Kilwinning Medical Practice
  • Oxenward Surgery, Kilwinning
  • Kilbirnie Medical Practice
  • Dr Rai’s Practice, Skelmorlie

South Ayrshire

  • Barns Medical Practice, Ayr
  • The Cathcart Street Medical Practice, Ayr
  • Fullarton Medical Practice, Ayr
  • Station Road Medical Practice, Prestwick
  • Templehill Surgery, Troon
  • Dailly Medical Practice
  • Drs McMaster, Moore and Brooksbank, Girvan
  • Dr McCulloch and Partners, Girvan

Stewarton Medical Practice is among seven surgeries in East Ayrshire that will also be closed on Thursday afternoon.

All other GP practices in the region will remain open and patients should contact their practice in the normal way.

Information published online by NHS Ayrshire and Arran stated: "During these afternoons the Ayrshire urgent care service will provide urgent care and support to patients of practices which are closed.

"Information on how to access advice from a GP will be made available on the participating GP practices' telephone messaging systems, practice websites and notices on the practice doors.

"Patients or community pharmacies who require to contact a participating GP practice urgently during the time they are closed for PLT should call the Ayrshire urgent care service on 01563 826930."