Watchdog to review closure of Leicester GP surgery
Campaigners say the consultation process was unfair and misleading
A government watchdog has promised to review the closure of a GP surgery in Evington as campaigners argue the process was “undemocratic”.
A branch of The St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre based on The Common was closed in December 2024 after the owner wanted to sell up and the site was deemed unsuitable for further work, reportedly leaving some residents two buses away from the nearest facility.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB), who run local services, launched a public consultation shortly after. However, the chair of the Retain Our Services in Evington group, John McFadyen, has complained to a government watchdog, saying this exercise was an “empty gesture”.
In his letter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), he said that the key issues – including the practice’s inability to fund a replacement site and the assessment that the building was unfit – had already been determined before the consultation began. He argued this goes against the ICB’s own policies for public engagement.
In March of this year, the ombudsman replied. In documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), inspectors admit they think the ICB “did get some things wrong” in its management of this consultation, but say this did not have an impact on the final decision.
Mr McFadyen has challenged the Ombudsman’s response, too.
He told the LDRS: “The ICB should not have consulted on it. The implication was they could save it; you could have a voice. But in fact you could not.
“I am disgusted. I think it’s undemocratic; it’s the system closing down on us. I would like a judicial review but I certainly couldn’t afford it.”
Mr McFadyen’s reaction has since prompted the ombudsman to review its initial support for the ICB’s actions.
A spokesperson for PHSO said: “We understand Mr McFadyen’s concerns about the closure of his local branch surgery. NHS policy and guidelines require organisations to engage with patients where the closure of a branch surgery is proposed and consider their views before making a decision.
“In examining the complaint, we looked at records regarding the consultation and found the ICB acted in line with these guidelines.
“Mr McFadyen has challenged our decision and, in line with our usual processes, we are considering whether there are grounds to review our conclusions.”
The ICB maintain that the consultation and closure were justified.
A spokesperson for LLR ICB said: “The decision to close the Evington branch surgery at The Common was taken by the GP practice, in line with its contractual rights under the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, and influenced by the landlord’s intention to sell the premises.
“While the closure itself was practice‑led, the ICB is legally required to engage with patients and stakeholders where access to primary medical services is affected. That engagement was focused on understanding impact and identifying mitigation, not on reconsidering the closure decision.
“The ICB notes the Ombudsman’s report and its conclusion that the issues raised did not affect the overall consultation outcome or the ICB’s final conclusions.
“In considering impact, the ICB noted that there are two GP practices within one mile of The Common, and a further four within 1.5 miles, meaning alternative primary care options are available locally for patients who choose to register elsewhere.”