Grantown practice says its identity remains
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A STRATHSPEY medical centre has refuted claims that it has lost its identity by giving itself the Speyside label.
Grantown Health Centre said it had not changed its name to Speyside Health Centre but bosses admitted there had been a name change for the umbrella organisation. That came as Glenlivet become part of the practice in a move to safeguard access to NHS GPs for those in the remote community.
A recent vote by surgery staff backed the business name change to 'Speyside Medical Group' and this has appeared on some letterheads that went out to patients.
Former Grantown Highland councillor Basil Dunlop has long battled to keep the Strathspey area distinct from Speyside.
He said: "It is sad to see yet another example of loss of community identity.
"Grantown is traditionally the capital of Strathspey not Speyside, as confirmed for example on Ordnance Survey maps, land ownership records and our local authority title.
"After the railway was built from Craigellachie Junction to Boat of Garten in 1863, the signs at Craigellachie Station proclaimed Change for Strathspey and at Boat of Garten Change for Speyside, which is the name of the Aberlour area.
"It is confusing to adopt the name of a different area.
"It is difficult to understand why the name Grantown should be dropped, as it is normal practice for a smaller population area to accept the name of a larger area when joining it, and in any case neither Glenlivet nor Grantown is in Speyside.
"I am not aware either that there was any public consultation on this name change."
Seonaid McLaren has been a patient at the surgery since moving to Grantown many years ago.
She said: "I was a surprised to find out when I called the surgery that I was informed it was the now Speyside Medical Group. I thought it was distinctly odd as Grantown is the capital of Strathspey.
"If this has been done because of Glenlivet joining then it shows a woeful ignorance of geography and heritage. Glenlivet is not in Speyside either. Aberlour Heatlh Centre states that it is the centre of Speyside and that is correct. If the practice name must be changed then it should be to Strathspey Health Centre but what is wrong with Grantown?"
Bill Sadler, Grantown Society chair, agreed: "I think it is most inappropriate and confusing as neither is in Speyside."
