Patients protest against GP surgery closure

Concerned patients gathered outside the surgery on Monday

Campaigners opposed to the closure of a GP surgery have warned it could leave some patients unable to get to appointments.

Patients 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 move.

Auckland 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".

Auckland Medical Group said its St Helen Auckland facility was "not fit for purpose"

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."

Brother and sister Richard and Wendy Wade said the closure would impact people who did not have a car

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 Hill.

Speaking 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".