‘Replace Eaton Place’ campaigners, led Nancy Platts, went to the Health and Wellbeing Board on Thursday, December 9 to call for GP services in East Brighton to continue when the current doctors retire on February 28, 2015 .
Nancy Platts Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven says The Health and Wellbeing Board seemed confused about what powers they actually had and members struggled to give clear answers to the questions she and other patients from the Eaton Place surgery asked. They wanted to know whether a new GP practice could be provided, if locums could be used as in interim solution at the current address and what would happen to patients who had not found a new GP by the time Eaton Place practice closes.
Councillor Warren Morgan, who sits on the Board and represents East Brighton Ward supported campaigners outlining the issues which have left over 5,500 patients scrambling to find a new GP.
Nancy Platts said: “This situation has exposed the failings of the Conservative-led government’s health reforms. No-one seems to be taking responsibility and I am concerned that NHS England is not approaching this with a sense of urgency or exploring all available options. People need and deserve a local GP and it will be a false economy not to replace this surgery. There is a significant risk that people will go to A&E at the hospital rather than travel halfway across town and our A&E should not have to cope with that demand.”
“Whilst some people have already moved to another GP, over 4,000 patients are still looking for a local doctor. For everyone currently registered at Eaton Place surgery to move to another GP would mean the nearby practices taking on around 350 patients each. This would increase waiting times for all patients.
“Many people are angry about the distances they will be expected to travel, which for some involves more than one bus journey. Others have been told to wait until January or February until they can register.”
She continued: “It was a huge relief when after much talk about strategies and reports; Chief Executive Penny Thompson stepped in and offered to convene an urgent cross-agency meeting. I have written to her to ask about next steps and a timeline for action. Patients need to know this side of Christmas whether a temporary GP service can be set up in this area whilst a long-term plan is developed.”
To sign the petition to ‘Replace Eaton Place’ click here:
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