Residents in the village have been left without a local GP surgery following the dismissal of its lead doctor
The Hollies Surgery, Hadleigh(Image: LDRS)
“Very distressed” patients are “in limbo” as an Essex doctor’s surgery remains shut, following the dismissal of its lead GP. Residents have been “very let down” by The Hollies Surgery in Hadleigh, which has been shut since November.
Health watchdog the Care Quality Commission raised concerns about Dr Olusegun Olatokunbo Omosini, who was later suspended amid drug allegations. Locals and patients slammed NHS bosses for “terrible communication”, leaving older people feeling “lost.”
NHS bosses say they are making good progress in re-opening the surgery and that patient satisfaction is very good, according to new data. They also insist teams are working around the clock.
A teary Bob Taylor, 71, hit out at the NHS and leadership. He said: “I am not into all the technology, where is the proper communication. Everyone is fuming; we’ve been let down so badly. I am very angry about it all. Older people, especially, are losing out. I think it’s disgusting. There must be other doctors and trained professionals who can step in – I don’t believe they can’t find anyone. It’s the talk of the town and is just unacceptable and unreasonable.”
At the beginning of November, it was revealed that Dr Olusegun Olatokunbo Omosini had been suspended by the CQC, and that the surgery had been temporarily shut.
Sharon Stone, 58, is worried about the impact on people’s health. She said: “It’s so bad now, and we need it back open. I would guarantee people are missing essential health care. We pay taxes for the NHS, but it’s not being delivered correctly, in my view. We’re not being informed or anything; it’s a total farce. There is no excuse or reason for this.”
Speaking last November, Russell Savage, councillor for people and community at Castle Point Borough Council, said “everyone in no man’s land” and “Residents are telling us they felt despair.” According to Mid and South Essex NHS, between November 5 and January 12, more than 3,850 appointments were delivered, with additional evening and weekend appointments provided locally. Bosses also say more than 80 per cent of patients rated their experience at the surgery as good or very good from start of December to January 12.
Hadleigh resident, Christine Tilley, 49, said: “I am still in shock and can’t quite believe it. We cannot go on like this, what about all these new homes. Where are our doctors and why? Hopefully it doesn’t become houses or something. It doesn’t put any faith in the NHS or anything, we deserve and need real answers and salutations now.”
William Guy, director of primary care at NHS Mid and South Essex, said: “We understand how worrying and frustrating the continued closure of the Hollies building has been for patients, and we are committed to keeping you updated as soon as the legal position allows. We recognise that many patients have had to make extra effort to access care and want to reassure registered patients that a full range of GP services remains available. Our priority is to return services to the Hollies Surgery as soon as possible.”
Further updates from the surgery can be found here.