Fresh concerns raised over future of Whitchurch GP surgery

It follows news that Shropdoc has pulled the plug on its attempts to run a replacement doctors’ surgery in Whitchurch less than a year after opening.

Steve Harris, managing director of Sentinel Care Services, which provides care to people in their home across Shropshire, said it was vitally important that care services were not impacted by the decision.

The Claypit Surgery, based at Whitchurch Community Hospital, was launched last November – taking on almost 4,000 patients from the town’s Richmond House practice after it closed.

Shropdoc has cited problems with recruiting GPs as the reason for the move and is handing back the contract to the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group in October.

Shropshire CCG said it has made arrangements for a new provider to take over services and the details are currently being finalised.

Mr Harris said: “In order to maintain good healthcare we often have to consult with our clients’ GP on medical or well-being issues and the uncertainty can impact on this.

“Furthermore, the elderly and vulnerable need continuity of care and like all of us they get used to a particular GP especially when dementia is involved.

“It seems a little unclear at the moment exactly what the outcome of all this will be but there has to be fears about how this will affect some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“The two remaining practices in the town appear to be willing to take on the Claypit Surgery patients until next March and there are still plans in the pipeline for a possible super-surgery in the town.

“Ensuring the health and welfare of patients is clearly the top priority for all concerned and we await with interest the outcome of what is a very worrying time for a lot of people in Whitchurch.

“Funding cuts are already having a devastating effect on the NHS and support services and it’s vitally important some satisfactory long-term arrangement is arrived at for the care and reassurance of those affected in Shropshire in general and those at the centre of the changes in Whitchurch.”

Shropshire CCG said plans were in place for patients at the Claypit Surgery to continue getting appointments and prescriptions in the same way they do now.

Joe Atherton,communications and engagement officer for Shropshire CCG, said: "We would like to reassure local people that we have made arrangements for a new provider to take over services, provided by Shropdoc, at the Claypit site, the details of which are currently being finalised.

"Patients will therefore still be able to use Claypit Surgery after October 31 and will continue to access appointments and prescriptions as usual.

“Our priority is to ensure all patients in Whitchurch are able to access high quality GP care and we believe that the arrangements we are making will ensure this is the case.

“We are also working with stakeholders towards developing longer term plans for health care in the area. This work is still in the early stages of the planning and formal approval process.”