Consultation over GP services after controversial Bridgwater surgery closure

Bridgwater residents are being asked to have their say on the future of their town’s GP services following the loss of a doctors’ surgery over the summer.

The Victoria Park Medical Centre in Bridgwater closed on August 11 due to staff shortages, with patients being re-registered to other practices across the town.

The Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – which is responsible for distributing the county’s health resources – is asking residents to give their views on how GP services should be allocated in the future.

This process will begin at a public meeting held at Victoria Park on October 11.

Details of the consultation were published ahead of a meeting of the CCG’s commissioning committee on Wednesday morning (September 29).

Tanya Whittle, the CCG’s deputy director of contracting, said every effort had been made to keep the surgery open in the 12 months leading up to its closure.

She said in her written report: “We supported the practice to seek a viable long-term future. This would have involved Victoria Park Medical Centre joining up with another local practice.

“Sadly, due to a number of key clinical and administrative staff leaving, it was not possible to implement the planned solution.

“We considered all other possible solutions but none were found.”

While the surgery is now closed, the Victoria Park community pharmacy on the same site remains open.

Ms Whittle said that the CCG would consults with “patients and stakeholders” over the next few months to “inform the future pattern of service provision, to improve the health and well-being of the people of Bridgwater.”

The first in a series of public meetings surrounding this issue will be held at the Victoria Park Community Centre on October 11.

 

 

Article originally posted on the Bridgwater mercury.

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.

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