Latest news with #AucklandMedicalGroup
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bishop Auckland GP surgery closure plan prompts public meeting
A public meeting is being held for those concerned about the proposed closure of a GP has been arranged by councillors opposed to plans by Auckland Medical Group to shut its St Helen Auckland surgery in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The medical group said the building was "not fit for purpose", does not meet accessibility requirements and is too costly to repair. A petition to save the surgery has been signed by 400 residents and patients who recently protested at the site with "Save Our Surgery" placards. Residents against the move said their community would feel let down if the surgery shut down for good, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. If it closes, its 4,000 patients would have to use alternative sites in Toft Hill and Bishop Auckland. A joint letter signed by councillors Rob Yorke and George Smith to Auckland Medical Group bosses said: "It is vital that access to GP services is improved, not reduced."Yorke and Smith are due to meet NHS officials. "We've heard about their plans and reasons for closing the surgery and to be frank they don't cut the mustard," Yorke said."We are hoping they will see sense and change their minds."The public meeting is at West Auckland Memorial Hall at 18:00 GMT on 3 April. A spokesperson for the medical group said: "The proposal is to centralise services to our Watling Road Surgery, as well as offering some services from our Toft Hill Surgery."We have sent a questionnaire to all our patients and we encourage them to share their views and help inform our decision, so we can continue to provide the highest standard of care." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bishop Auckland patients protest against closure of a surgery
Campaigners opposed to the closure of a GP surgery have warned it could leave some patients unable to get to with Save Our Surgery placards gathered outside the St Helen Auckland facility in Bishop Auckland, County Durham on Monday after 300 people signed a petition against the Medical Group, which runs the surgery, said the "unsuitable" building does not meet accessibility requirements and was "not fit for purpose". It said all patients have been sent a questionnaire on the plans to help inform its decision and to "continue to provide the highest standard of care for our patients". A joint letter signed by county councillors has also been sent to the group claiming the closure "would deprive the community of essential healthcare services". The group said its alternative sites in Toft Hill and Bishop Auckland was "better-suited".A letter to patients said: "The corridors and consulting rooms present challenges for patients who may be in a wheelchair."There are similar difficulties for paramedic teams to treat and transfer patients from the clinical rooms." Richard Wade said his sister Wendy Wade, who uses a rollator and mobility aid for walking, will struggle to visit other surgeries because there is no direct bus services between St Helen Auckland and Toft to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: "How are they going to cope in Bishop Auckland if everybody from this area has to travel down there? "We should get a new purpose-built surgery."A spokesperson for the Auckland Medical Group said: "We have recently launched an engagement exercise to gather views on the proposed closure of the St Helen Auckland branch. "We have sent a questionnaire to all of our patients and we encourage them and other stakeholders to share their views on this proposal". Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
