People have their say on consultation that could see two GP practices close

Health chiefs have launched an eight-week public consultation exercise on three options for the future of Fens Medical Centre, Hartfields Medical Practice and Wynyard Road Primary Care Centre.

Option one is for one provider to manage the Fens and Wynyard Road sites. The second is one provider to manage Hartfields and Wynyard Road, while the third is to keep Wynyard Road only.

It comes just a year after the future of the surgeries was put in doubt when a previous consultation was held by the NHS.

Mail readers have had their say on the move after commenting on our website and on our Facebook page.

On Facebook, Demi Wynne William wrote: “Hartfields is one of the best in town. Cant believe it.”

James Barker said: “Can’t fault Hartfields surgery all the staff are nice to talk to the nurse Steph is brilliant the doctors are good the other practitioners are excellent. There always seems to be a dark cloud of closure hanging over it which I don’t think is justified considering we have no A&E.”

David Wheelhouse commented: “Hartfields is an excellent surgery. Doctors and nurses treat you professionally and show a great care towards you. Don’t just feel like a number here, be a great shame if it closes, don’t know where I’d be sent next, with all the houses that are being built in that area it doesn’t make sense to close it, but many decisions in this town don’t make sense.”

On our website Paul Bearer stated: “It’s all down once again to resources is cash Tory policy at work yet again. Once we have a return of a Labour government who will provide adequate realistic funding for national and local health services the better.”

Bill Carter said: “A disgusting state of affairs, consultation a joke. Any consultation should be to improve patient care and provide us all with a better service.”

Drainy commented: “How they can put patients through this, especially the senior citizens at Hartfields is criminal, the stress which it has and is causing by so called ‘health providers’ is a disgrace and someone needs to be taken to task over this.”

Serf said: “The doctors practice I use is always apologising for the long wait for appointments with the excuse they can’t recruit. Then we have other practices being threatened from under use. Redistributing patients between practices seems a logical thing to do, doesn’t it?” Public meetings are being held. Patients are asked to register through the CCG’s consultation website can be found at http://bit.ly/2aYSzUm Alternatively, email [email protected] or phone (0191) 3742795.