Extra public consultation over the sudden closure of Frome surgery is to be carried out as NHS England have deemed the original consultation period was not deemed adequate enough.
Locks Hill Surgery closed its doors on Tuesday, September 27 before NHS England had finished considering the application for its closure.
Now patients in Frome will be given another opportunity to have their say on the closure of the surgery.
The surgery had been the subject of a brief consultation process which came to an end on Friday, August 19 with 386 patients submitting their thoughts on its future.
Marina Muirhead, head of primary care for NHS England South West, said at the time that it had received notice from the surgery that it was considering to close the branch surgery but that it would need to consider that application carefully before making a decision.
That decision is still yet to be announced.
As a result of the public outcry lamenting the poorly run consultation process and closure of the surgery without approval from the NHS further consultation is to be held.
NHS England and Frome Medical Practice will be conducting drop in patient information sessions next Thursday, December 15 as well as making the patient survey available again to allow more time for patient feedback.
Laila Pennington, of NHS England, said: “We listened to what local people have said and will be arranging another opportunity for patients of Locks Hills to have their say.
“With the practice, we will be holding drop in sessions for patients so they can find out more from the practice on the closure and also hear about what options Locks Hill patients have to access GP care.”
Reacting to the news, Bob Ashford, Chair of Trustees of Fair Frome, a local charity which has frequently raised concerns regarding the consultation and premature closure of the Locks Hill Surgery, said: “The statement from the Medical Practice and NHS England is disappointing to say to say the least.
“Both organisations seem to accept the closure has happened and that the surgery will remain shut despite their being no formal decision by NHS England and the opposition to the loss of this valuable local resource.
“The new consultation has learnt nothing from past mistakes with the lack of notice for the drop in session, the reliance on online responses and the timing- just before Christmas.
“We would ask NHS England to think again, give proper notice and a timescale for a new consultation on the closure and consult in ways which reach those that have most need of a local surgery like Locks Hill.”
Article originally published by Somerset Live.
