Many elderly residents would have to travel much further to access healthcare if the practice shut down
The surgery, pictured here in 2008, is situated in a former residential bungalow and is in ‘significant disrepair’, bosses say(Image: Google)
A Nottinghamshire medical centre could close under new plans.
Sutton Bonington’s GP surgery, on Orchard Close, is one of four local surgeries run by the Village Health Group (VHG).
But bosses at VHG have proposed the site’s closure and launched an online consultation to collect views from members of the public about the idea.
The group also runs surgeries in Keyworth, East Leake and Ruddington, which existing Sutton Bonington patients would be able to use as they would remain registered with the practice.
But the news has not gone down well with some local residents – or the councillors that represent the area for Rushcliffe Borough and Nottinghamshire County councils.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Conservative Councillor Andy Brown, East Leake & Ruddington councillor for Nottinghamshire, said: “It’s ridiculous. [The problem] is the distance [users] would have to go to East Leake [if the surgery closed].
“There’s no buses. You’d have to get the number 66 to Loughborough which is very infrequent, and then a number 1 service to East Leake. It’s a journey of an hour-and-a-half or something like that. Plus, not everybody’s able to get on a bus.
“It’s going to be a big loss, especially to those people who haven’t got vehicles and elderly people. You’ve also got to remember the residents of Normanton-on-Soar and Zouch, not just Sutton Bonington, that use it.”
The details were posted online on July 17, with information also posted through the doors of residents.
A statement from VHG says: “We have carefully reviewed how our services are delivered across all VHG sites, alongside the condition and long-term sustainability of our buildings.”
The Sutton Bonington surgery – a bungalow on a small residential road in the village – is in “significant disrepair”, according to bosses.
But it would require “substantial investment” to meet modern healthcare standards, they assert, and a number of “structural limitations” with the building would make it difficult to adapt to modern healthcare services.
Coupled with its limited opening hours and “comparatively” low levels of patient activity, those in charge appear to not think it is worth repairing.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” said local resident Sheila Harrod, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years. “I’m losing my sight and I can’t really get on the bus so it’s relying on family all the time to take you. It’s not fair on the pensioners. I know the people that use it regularly.
“I’ve got no idea what the alternative would be. But it’s not on. They want you to go to Keyworth or further away, which is impossible. They’d have to have some sort of voluntary service set up or something, a driver or something.”
“Now I don’t drive I can’t get anywhere now. It’s such a shame. I’ve lived here since 1974 and I’m seeing [services and amenities] just come and go. Nothing’s replaced.”
Other reasons for the proposed closure are that the cost of operating the building is “high in relation to the number of appointments provided”.
VHG adds that “most patients registered at Sutton Bonington already choose to attend appointments at our other Village Health Group surgery sites.”
On Wednesday, August 5, Cllr Brown, along with Rushcliffe Conservative councillor Matt Barney, who represents Soar Valley, sent a letter to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) expressing “serious concerns” regarding the proposed closure.
It says: “This proposal has understandably caused significant anxiety amongst residents. We do not believe that closing the surgery without ensuring genuinely accessible alternatives is in the best interests of our community.
“We therefore urge the ICB to intervene and work with the VHG to identify a solution that enables GP services to continue to be provided from Sutton Bonington. We believe every effort should be made to avoid the permanent loss of this important local facility.”
The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB has been contacted for comment.