PLANS to relocate GP services at Wilton Health Centre have been branded “outrageous” and a “disservice” to the local community.
Salisbury Medical Practice launched a public consultation into the proposals last week which runs until July 21.
Since March last year, as a result of the Covid pandemic, GP-led services at the centre have been provided at other locations including Fisherton House, Bemerton Heath Surgery and Bishopdown Surgery.
The plans, if given the go-ahead, would make this change permanent, meaning GP services would no longer be provided at Wilton Heath Centre.
However, the centre would still be used for other services including physiotherapy, dietetics and stroke early supported discharge.
Wilton councillors have been critical of the plans but Salisbury Medical Practice stressed the relocation is “a proposal” and that the consultation is still ongoing.
Councillors concerns
Wilton mayor, Cllr Phil Matthews said: “I don’t support it whatsoever. I think it is outrageous.
He said the decision “didn’t make sense” in light of new houses being built in the Wilton area, including developments at Wilton Hill, and said there was “a lot of anger” in the community.
Cllr Matthews also raised concerns over elderly people in the town that do not have access to a car, having to rely on public transport to get into Salisbury or Bemerton Heath.
Deputy mayor, Cllr Peter Edge said he “wasn’t surprised” by the proposals not to restore GP services at the centre and added: “They are doing a disservice to the residents of Wilton.”
Cllr Pauline Church has also expressed her disappointment over the proposals to relocate the GP service to practices at Bemerton Heath and Bishopdown “as neither of these locations are served by a direct bus route from Wilton, therefore creating a transport problem for many residents living in my division, of which 26 per cent are aged over 65”.
She has also called for the increase expected in the number of homes over the next 10 years to be taken into account and urged the plans to be reconsidered.
What Salisbury Medical Practice says
A statement from Salisbury Medical Practice, which has put forward the proposals, said: “The relocation of GP services from Wilton Health Centre is a proposal and we are currently in the consultation period.
“We would encourage patients and local residents to share feedback of their concerns as well as voices of support via the survey. More detailed feedback can be emailed to wccg.whcfeedback@nhs.net”
Salisbury Medical Practice has also put forward plans for additional clinical space at Bemerton Heath Surgery, which would provide extra rooms and “improve accessibility”.
What the CCG says
A spokesperson from Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We are aware of the consultation, having worked closely with the practice throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and we await the feedback from patients and local residents.
“Only at this time, once all feedback has been considered, will a final decision regarding the relocation of GP services be made.”
Article originally appeared on Salisbury Journal
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