Patients' fears over future of surgeries

Dorking and Horley MP Chris Coghlan and Fetcham councillor Caroline Joseph have expressed their concerns over the future of The Molebridge GP practice

Patients at a Surrey GP practice fear it could close its doors as its management has decided to exit the contract after six months.

Services at Molebridge GP Practice, which has surgeries in Fetcham and Leatherhead, have been thrown into doubt after operator Aspire Medical Health announced it would exit its contract with Surrey Heartlands NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Caroline Joseph, a patient at the practice and Mole Valley district councillor, said feared changes would have a "huge impact".

The surgery continues to operate as normal in the interim and a spokesperson for Surrey Heartlands ICB said it was committed to maintaining the GP practice and its services.

'Very scary'

Ms Joseph, a councillor for Fetcham, said: "A lot of people have come to me voicing their worries.

"In the majority of Fetcham there's no other option. That's very scary.

"If it actually closes it would have a huge impact."

A spokesperson for Aspire Medical Health announced it would be exiting its contract, adding it was the "right next step".

The operator said it experienced a "number of challenges" providing services.

Aspire took over the practices, which reportedly treat 6,000 patients, in June 2024.

Chris Coghlan and Helen Maguire, MPs for Dorking and Horley and Epsom and Ewell, said they had requested a meeting with Surrey Heartlands ICB to discuss the surgeries.

Mr Coghlan told the BBC he wanted a "firm commitment" from the ICB that the practice would not close and services would improve.

A Surrey Heartlands ICB spokesperson said it was "working closely with the practice to make alternative arrangements" but was not yet in a position to confirm these.

It added: "As commissioners, we are committed to maintaining the practice and maintaining services at both the Leatherhead and Fetcham sites, we would like to reassure patients and local partners that urgent work is now underway to find a swift solution."

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