GP surgery closure plan prompts public meeting

Patients gathered outside the surgery to protest against the planned closure

A public meeting is being held for those concerned about the proposed closure of a GP surgery.

It 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.

The surgery has 4,000 patients and if it shuts they will have to use alternative sites

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."