'Village has lost everything' with surgery closure

Ann Stenfalt said she moved to the area because it "had everything that retired people needed"

Residents say the closure of a GP surgery 12 days before Christmas is "a big blow" to their village.

A public meeting was held on Wednesday at Pilgrim Gardens independent living in Evington, Leicester, so villagers could air their concerns.

The Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) confirmed The Surgery in The Common will close on 13 December after the practice made it aware the landlord was selling the premises.

The surgery was a branch of St Elizabeth's Medical Centre in Netherhall Road, more than two miles away, and the ICB said it would work with patients to transition them to the main site.

Residents and representatives of the ICB were among those that attended the meeting on Wednesday

Residents raised objections to taking two buses to attend the main centre, when the closing branch surgery is within walking distance for many of them.

The idea of changing to a different practice altogether, where the GPs were not familiar with them or their conditions, was also a concern.

Spokespeople for the ICB at the meeting said the branch surgery was no longer fit for purpose and that it had run a public consultation since June regarding the closure.

The J&A Pharmacy, which has been in Main Street since the 1980s, closed last month due to financial reasons, according to owners R Glenton & Son.

Customers are recommended to use Glenton Pharmacy, just over a mile away in Welland Vale Road.

'Big blow'

Ann Stenfalt, 82, a resident at Pilgrim Gardens, said she had a text to confirm the branch surgery's closure this week.

She said: "We’ve got Christmas and the new year soon, which is very difficult if you are wanting to get your tablets.

"I’m concerned for quite a few people in Evington.

"It is a big blow in the village with the pharmacy [closing] as well."

Ms Stenfalt said the prospect of getting two different buses to attend the centre in Netherhall Road could leave some residents resorting to getting taxis to their appointments, which would be expensive for those requiring frequent visits.

She added: "It is a village that has lost everything.

"One of the reasons why we came was it had everything that retired people needed and now it is literally being taken away."

Irene Steer was one of the Evington residents who raised concerns about the branch surgery closure

Irene Steer, also a resident of Pilgrim Gardens, said she was "really frightened".

"I've just been diagnosed with one illness and I'm in the midst of having tests," the 87-year-old said.

"So I'm very worried and I find it enough to even walk to that surgery.

"I'm really frightened to be honest."

Zuffar Haq says the GP closure is "alarming and concerning"

Zuffar Haq, who represents Evington on Leicester City Council, said it could take residents "a couple of hours" to reach the main surgery by bus.

He said: "We know the NHS is under immense pressure across the board. This was a great surgery.

"[The closure is] leaving lots of patients vulnerable and lots of anxiety for lots of patients, because they need support and the NHS has failed in their support.

"They shouldn't be doing this two weeks before Christmas."

Dr Nil Sanganee, chief medical officer for the ICB, said: “The ICB is satisfied that the practice has explored all options for continuing to offer services from Evington Village and there are no viable and affordable options that would enable the practice to provide safe and good quality care in the area, in line with modern general practice standards.

“We recognise that affected patients may have some concerns and we would like to assure them that they do not need to take any immediate action.

"The practice has already contacted them to fully explain the position and will keep them updated.

"If patients find that they are unable to travel to the practice’s main site, they can choose to register with an alternative local practice."