There had been fears some patients would be unable to access care at other surgeries
The Park Medical Practice surgery in Oakwood will close next year(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A number of improvements are being made to Arriva bus services to help patients affected by the imminent closure of a Derby GP surgery.
Last month, it was announced the Park Medical Practice’s Oakwood branch would be closing for good on Tuesday, March 31.
Health bosses have said the Bishops Drive surgery is no longer fit for purpose and is “not suitable for handling urgent or emergency situations”.
The practice said affected patients would be able to use its other branches in Chaddesden and Borrowash after the closure.
The practice is planning to expand its Borrowash surgery “to offer more staff and services in modern, compliant rooms, ensuring you (patients) benefit from improved facilities and greater accessibility.”
Patients in Oakwood will not need to re-register to use different surgeries and housebound patients will still receive home visits as before.
The practice said there were “very limited options” to improve its Oakwood branch. The situation was made complex by the fact the surgery’s building is owned by a third-party.
News of the surgery’s closure earlier this year prompted major fears Oakwood residents living with mobility issues would struggle to see a doctor nearby and as a result face longer trips to receive vital healthcare.
Labour Mid-Derbyshire MP Jonathan Davies and Conservative Oakwood councillors held talks with health bosses and other key partners in a bid to support patients who will be most affected by the closure.
Park Medical Practice previously said the closure would come with “challenges” but added its other surgeries “can be reached within a reasonable time-frame.”
Now, it has been announced that bus firm Arriva is making changes to service routes to help patients get access to the practice’s Chaddesden branch on Maine Drive.
The changes affect the 26 service which has frequent stops in Oakwood and Chaddesden.
Service 26 will now run via Reginald Road South and Chaddesden Lane, instead of Chaddesden Park Road & Max Road – offering a link to the surgery.
A statement by Oakwood councillors said: “Following the confirmation that Park Medical Practice are going to close their Oakwood branch at the end of March next year, we have been in regular contact with Jonathan Davies MP, regarding the need for improved connectivity between Oakwood and the Park Medical Practice branch in Chaddesden.
“We are therefore delighted to see that Arriva plan to change the No.26 bus route to improved access to the Maine Drive Practice.”
Park Medical Practice has assured patients quality of care will not be affected by the upcoming closure.
A letter it sent to patients, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), said: “We understand that this news may be disappointing or concerning, and we want to reassure you that the quality of your care will not be affected by this change.
“Our top priority remains ensuring you continue to receive the highest standard of care, in facilities that are safe, accessible, and meet the needs of modern healthcare.”