Hundreds sign a petition to save Whitchurch under-threat doctors' surgery
More than 1,125 people have signed a petition to save an under-threat doctor's surgery in Whitchurch.
Patients at Richmond House Surgery in Whitchurch have signed both a paper and online petition set up after the surgery announced it would have to close its doors on October 31.
Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group is currently working to find premises to house Richmond House surgery in Whitchurch once its lease is up.
However, patients and residents are concerned this is not happening quickly enough and say they are frustrated by the lack of information.
Jules Lemon, who set up the online petition, said patients were worried about the future of healthcare in the town. She said: "We are concerned a private company might take over the running of the surgery.
"This would be disgraceful as we would lose our current brilliant doctors.
"The concerns are simply that the quality of care will be reduced, the staff will no longer have jobs and the town will severally suffer.
"I believe in keeping local businesses and healthcare local also, however if we lose these doctors, that have contributed to the town for several years, then the patients that come to shop here we would now lose and the business too."
Patients have also organised a protest to start at 10.30am on September 24, starting from the surgery in Station Road.
Councillor Mike McDonald, mayor of Whitchurch, said: "Councillor Peggy Mullock, Councillor Gerald Dakin and I have had innumerable conversations about the surgery and its closure or replacement – which is solely the remit of Shropshire CCG on behalf of NHS England.
"We are passionate about this town and working very hard behind the scenes to get answers – despite what some individuals in the town would have you believe."
