Two more GP practice closures are set to leave 11,000 patients having to try to register elsewhere.
The Malling Health Wreking walk-in centre and 8,000-patient GP practice is due to close in July, after NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG decided not to extend its APMS contract.
The CCG said it opted not to renew services at the centre because it was no longer fulfilling its role in offering same day urgent appointments and its premises were no longer fit for purpose.
It has pledged to reinvest the funding into the surrounding practices, but the Shropshire Star reports local councillors expressed their ‘utter dismay’ at the decision and are calling for a public enquiry.
Dr Jo Leahy, clinical chair of NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG, said: ‘It is understandable that the decision will be met with some apprehension,’
‘Given that the centre requires a £500,000 refurbishment and a multi-million pound replacement in the next three years, we feel the money would be better spent on existing practices with modern and up-to-date premises, which can be enhanced with further funding.’
Meanwhile, 3,000 patients registered with Wollaton Vale Health Centre in Nottingham have been told that the practice will be closing as single-handed GP Dr Khashayar Ghaharian is ‘very ill’.
Members of the practice’s patient participation group have launched a campaign to keep the practice open, according to Nottingham Post.
