This alarming news that Gillets Surgery, Deanland Road, Balcombe is under threat of closure, has seen my parliamentary inbox bulge and I sincerely thank all those that have written directly to me for sharing your thoughts. Access to GP services is something we all need and my casework team and I take very seriously. We have seen this across the area and it remains a real concern and we are regularly in touch with the NHS leadership on this and other health matters.
We know all our GPs, surgeries and their staff do their best everyday to attend to our community’s health needs and this underlines their huge important and value to us all.
The tone of the emails my team and I have received on this matter was of absolute shock, deep concern, and some anger to which I acknowledge the deep strength of feeling. It was disappointing, therefore not to have received prior warning from the Partnership, of their possible intentions. I will be meeting the GPs shortly after recent contact from them following this issue becoming known to me and I welcome the chance to hear from them on your behalf.
Directly from hearing the news, I wrote to the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board on constituents behalf as the commissioning body responsible for GP services in our area, to request a meeting and to obtain more information on your behalf. I have also consulted with local councillors to get a clearer understanding of the situation.
On Tuesday, I met with Mr Adam Doyle, Chief Executive of NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board to share my thoughts and significant concerns on behalf of my residents and surrounding area of Balcombe, questioning if a solution can be found.
I was assured that no decision has been taken at present.
They will be working closely with the Practice as to comprehend the issues faced, together with the Patient Participation Group (PPG) who I understand have already been involved in the drafting of the letter to patients.
I described the rural location of the Gillets Surgery, the age demographic and how it was not always possible to access other Surgeries by public transport or ease of access.
Not every appointment by telephone can give an accurate diagnosis of an underlying issue that may be better assessed face to face.
Work has been authorised by the ICB to assess mapping of GP access in Sussex as a whole. Village locations should be catered for just as those in towns when commissioning GP access and I will be pushing very hard that this is adhered to for all residents of my constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield.
The survey the practice had shared has received well over 700 responses and I do urge those that are yet to complete it to share their thoughts together with writing directly to Mr Adam Doyle and his team at: [email protected]
MODALITY GP SERVICES
I have requested the urgent update on Modality, and access issues in Crawley Down, East Grinstead we have been promised. Due to the election this was postponed and its vital the community gets the insights and updates it deserves and is expecting.
Wider Health Issues - Uckfield Community Hospital
Whilst in the meeting I also brought up the growing concerns over Uckfield Community Hospitals Surgical ward muted closure and the instability of the situation and the uncertainty for staff and patients this presents.
A further meeting to discuss this very concerning loss to a local service will be scheduled shortly with the appropriate team. I will be pressing hard for clarity and supporting residents for this well-loved facility to not be taken from us.
I will continue to hold those responsible for health services that account - we also discussed dentistry, hospice care, A&E services and wider GP access.
Please be assured we continue to do all we can to get clarity on what is next and that local patients’ needs will continue to be properly met and I will keep you fully updated. In the meantime my next appointment today is at the QVH in East Grinstead, so be assured health services and your experiences and access remain my priority.
