NHS bosses have identified Pikes Lane Medical Centre as the preferred location for Ladybridge Surgery’s GP practice once the current site closes.
The issue has been running for months and has become one of the most high-profile healthcare concerns in the Ladybridge area.
Residents, councillors and patients raised fears over the loss of a GP surgery from the estate.
The current lease at Ladybridge Surgery is set to expire on November 30, after the landlord served notice to end the agreement, leaving NHS Greater Manchester and Bolton Community Practice CIC searching for a new base.
Cllr Andy Morgan, of Heaton, Lostock, and Chew Moor, said: “It’s a real shame and we’ve done as much as we can as ward councillors, but ultimately it’s the NHS’s decision.
“We’ll continue to push forward with regards to bringing services to the estate, using mobile facilities and things like that, but I think it’s a backward step.
“The Integrated Care Board and the NHS are saying they want to localise services in one breath and, in the next breath, they’re taking away one of the most basic services such as a GP.
“The two things contradict each other but we have to live with their decision.”
(Image: PHIL TAYLOR)
In an update published by Bolton Community Practice, NHS partners confirmed that Pikes Lane Medical Centre has been identified as the preferred option for future services, subject to final financial approval.
The organisation said the site was chosen because it would allow services to remain relatively close to the existing patient population, provide suitable accommodation and make use of existing NHS facilities.
Cllr Anne Galloway, of the same ward, said: “This will be very disappointing news for all the patients at this well-used surgery, especially those living on Ladybridge estate.
“It was so convenient for people.
Cllr Anne Galloway (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)
“Not everyone will find it easy to access Pikes Lane. All patients will need good advance information with advice and support for this change.”
Patients would remain registered with Bolton Community Practice, with only the location of services changing.
However, Cllr Morgan questioned whether Pikes Lane was a suitable replacement for patients living on the Ladybridge estate.
He said: “Pikes Lane really isn’t appropriate. There’s no parking, it’s nowhere near Ladybridge and, particularly for elderly residents, people are now going to have to get buses into town.
“It’s already a really busy surgery, so to add another practice to what’s already there, I think it’s a really bad decision.”
The announcement comes despite the landlord later indicating a willingness to discuss a new tenancy agreement at the current site.
Cllr Morgan also raised concerns about accessibility, transport costs and the impact on elderly and disabled patients.
He questioned whether formal assessments had been undertaken into additional journey times, public transport costs and equality impacts.
He called for no irreversible decision to be taken until residents’ concerns had been fully considered.
He said: “For many Ladybridge residents, their local GP surgery is not simply a building.
“It is an essential community service and, once that provision is removed from the estate, the likelihood of it returning is extremely limited.”
NHS Greater Manchester said concerns around access and transport had formed an important part of its work, pointing to a direct bus service between Ladybridge and Pikes Lane and plans to consider increased home-visiting capacity for eligible patients.
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said: “Following the landlord of Ladybridge Surgery serving notice to end the lease, and consideration of the available options, Pikes Lane Medical Centre has been identified as the preferred location for the continued delivery of GP services for Ladybridge Surgery patients after the current lease expires on 30 November.
“This remains subject to final financial approval, with a decision expected within the next week.
“Pikes Lane Medical Centre enables services to remain close to the existing patient population and makes effective use of existing NHS premises.
“Bolton Community Practice will continue to provide GP services to Ladybridge Surgery patients, who will remain registered with the same GP practice. Services will continue to be delivered as usual from Ladybridge Surgery until any move takes place.
“We recognise concerns around travel and accessibility and are working with the practice to consider how these can be mitigated, including increased home-visiting capacity for eligible patients.
“Our priority is ensuring patients continue to have access to safe, effective and sustainable GP services, and we will provide further information as arrangements are confirmed.”