STAFF at a Cumnock medical centre are looking forward to a rescheduled Christmas night out – after the Chronicle took up their case.

Around 35 doctors, nurses and employees of the Cumnock Surgery at Tanyard Medical Practice were due to enjoy a festive night out at Lochside House Hotel in New Cumnock on Saturday [December 11].

But two days before the event, Public Health Scotland urged people to put their Christmas party plans on ice because of rising cases of the Omicron variant – and NHS bosses told the practice team that the party night would have to be cancelled.

A staff member said that the Lochside House initially refused them a refund of their £1,300 advance payment – and refused to reschedule to a new date.

But after the Chronicle took up the matter with the hotel, a Lochside House spokesperson announced a U-turn – and said the surgery’s staff would be invited back in the new year, along with 500 others who have postponed their plans to celebrate the festive season at the venue.

The surgery staff member said: “Staff got an email from the head of the NHS to say the party night had to be cancelled because of the new restrictions. Straight away, they phoned up Lochside to see about a refund but they were told no, they had lost their money.

“They then asked if they could reschedule for another night next year but they said no. They knew it was the medical practice in Cumnock.

“They were very disappointed. It would have been easy for the Lochside to hold their money and put it towards another night next year but they wouldn’t do that for them.

“The Cumnock surgery has been open throughout the whole pandemic whereas other surgeries closed. These poor nurses and staff workers have given everything in the last two years just to not get their night out. They were really looking forward to it.”

A spokesperson for Lochside Hotel said: “As soon as we were made aware of updated Scottish Government advice on Christmas party nights, we knew that allowing any bookings wishing to reschedule to a later date was the right thing to do.

“Regretfully, as this particular refund request by Cumnock Surgery came through prior to any public announcements, a member of our reservations team quoted back our standard terms and conditions for events.

“We are however delighted to say that we have since been in contact with Cumnock Surgery who will be joining us in the new year to partake in some post-Christmas celebrations at Lochside House Hotel, along with over 500 other people that so far this weekend alone have requested to postpone their Christmas night out.”

“We have done this more than willingly, despite these rules only being advisory and with no financial support from the government.”

A NHS Ayrshire and Arran spokesperson clarified: “In line with the recent Public Health Scotland guidance to members of the public, NHS Ayrshire and Arran have advised staff to be thoughtful about attending large gatherings and to continue to follow national guidance to the public such as wearing masks, handwashing and testing when out and about.

“We appreciate that our staff continue to work tirelessly under challenging times and with the festive period approaching it is more important than ever that we all continue to follow national guidance especially given the nature of the services we provide.”

Surgery staff confirmed they were “very happy” about the hotel’s resolution to the matter.