Campaign launched to save Whitchurch GP surgery from closure

Patients at Richmond House Surgery have spoken of their shock after the surgery announced it would have to close its doors on October 31.

Partners at the surgery had warned repeatedly in recent months that they would be forced to close unless they could find new premises.

Patient Gillian Evans, 76, of Whitchurch, said "It is very worrying. Not just for the elderly but also the very young as well.

"It is worrying for people on life dependency and prescriptions. I think it is a very important issue and as far as we know we have got nowhere else to go.

"I didn't know anything about this and it is not satisfactory just issuing a statement."

Now Rob Hewson, former mayor of Whitchurch and a patient at the surgery, has launched a petition to save the surgery after the news of its closure was revealed on Friday.

He said: "I am launching a campaign in Whitchurch to save the surgery. They have been amazing for me these doctors and I owe it to them. One of the doctors discovered I had a circulation problem and saved my leg.

"Tesco is printing me leaflets and all the petitions and I am very grateful for that.

"There are about 4,000 patients at the surgery currently. We need to keep these excellent doctors and nurses in the town.

"This is nothing against the owner of the premises, this is about getting money from the Government to find a new home for the surgery in time. Whitchurch is getting a lot of new houses and there will be nowhere for them to access GP services.

"I am appealing to any business that can support the surgery to come forward.

"We cannot afford to lose this facility. It is no good sitting there and letting it go. Let's get behind this and sign the petition."

Mr Hewson said the petition will be available to sign in shops and supermarkets in Whitchurch.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has also pledged to help Whitchurch residents and support them to have adequate access to GP services.

He said: "I do not know why this has dragged on and come to this conclusion. I am happy to take it on.

"It is a real problem - this has to be resolved.

"There has to be adequate medical care for people in Whitchurch and I am happy to help."

It had been hoped Richmond House would merge with Bridgewater Medical Practice to form a GP hub at the town's community hospital in Claypit Street.

But the project, which had received a £2 million grant from the Government, has not progressed quickly enough for the move to be made later this year when Richmond House's lease on its Station Road home runs out.

The GPs at Bridgewater and Dodington want are now seeking urgent talks with NHS England and Shropshire CCG amid fears they would not be able to cope with an influx of additional patients.

The three surgeries currently provide a service for about 13,000 patients in the Whitchurch area.

Officials at Shropshire CCG and Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust have both said they are committed to supporting the GP practices.