5,000 patients to move after GP clinic next Telford's Princess Royal Hospital closes

NHS officials now face having to allocate patients to other surgeries across the town.

The plans to close Malling Health Wrekin walk-in centre were given the stamp of approval by health bosses in February.

There were more than 7,000 patients on its books who were told they would have to transfer to another GP. But only 2,300 patients have so far moved voluntarily, Telford & Wrekin Council's health and adult care scrutiny committee was told.

About 5,000 patients face being allocated a place at another GP practice if they do not move themselves by the end of July.

The issue was discussed by the committee during a meeting at Addenbrooke House following serious concerns raised by Wellington Town Council.

Nicky Wilde, deputy executive for primary care at Telford & Wrekin CCG, told councillors: "2,300 patients have moved on a voluntary basis into new GP practices. Patients still have the opportunity to move themselves. When we looked at capacity we identified that all our practices were able to accept additional patients."

She said anyone who does not register with a new GP practice would be allocated a place somewhere, but she added: "If they are not satisfied they have the choice to move."

But Wellington town councillor Miles Hosken said: "It's fundamentally wrong. The Malling could have been taken on in a new contract. The Malling isn't falling down.

"The whole structure of the closure of it and the movement of people to other clinics in the area is overload. There's a great number of people in Telford that are very upset about it."

The CCG said an assessment of the centre found it will be unable to adequately serve the future needs of the area and the building is in poor condition. Telford and Wrekin CCG's primary care committee approved the decision not to renew its contract.