Residents and councillors complain about "shocking" continued closure of Hadleigh GP surgery
NHS Essex say they are doing "everything" they can to "support a resolution"
Residents and councillors have hit out at NHS bosses, and feel “fobbed off”, after a town has been left without a doctors surgery for around seven months.
The Hollies Surgery in Hadleigh shut last November, after its lead GP was accused of drug offences, but there is no clear timeline for re-opening the health centre. NHS bosses say they are “doing everything” they can to get the issue resolved.
But community leaders and patients say residents are “being disadvantaged.” Independent councillor Russ Savage said the impact on residents is “massive.”
The councillor, who’s responsible for people and the community, added: “I don’t think the NHS is doing enough, it’s the same old story. They should be doing much, much more for the residents. It’s almost like a south east postcode lottery, if you’re unfortunate to live in Hadleigh, you haven’t got a doctor.” He called it “shocking” and “outrageous.”
Warren Gibson, deputy leader of Castle Point Borough Council, also raised concerns and said the situation is “not good at all.” He added: “We’ve been to meetings and we were told by the end of March it would be up and running and all we keep getting is fobbed off. It’s frustrating for all the residents, myself and the councillors are doing all we can to make sure we get it re-open as soon as possible.”
Residents said it’s “beyond a joke now.” Pensioner Enid Cox, 71, also demanded action. She added: “How much longer is this going on, this has dragged on long enough. It’s the patience who’re being badly affected. Residents are feeling anguish and inconvenience, while there’s extra pressure on the local pharmacy and its not conducive to helping people get better.”
Tom Abell, chief executive of NHS Essex said: “I fully understand the frustration and prolonged disruption this situation is causing local people. While the legal arrangements needed to reopen the building are outside the NHS’s direct control, we are doing everything we can to support a resolution, including bringing all parties together to agree a way forward.”
NHS Essex also says a full range of services continues to be available to patients in the meantime.