GP surgery serving 5,000 set to close
COUNCILLOR CALLS CLOSURE ‘IRRESPONSIBLE’
THE temporary closure of a Hull GP surgery serving one of the city’s most deprived areas means thousands face longer journeys to see a doctor.
The decision to stop face-toface appointments at the Riverside Medical Centre has triggered concerns over its long-term future, as well access to vital health services for 5,000 people living on the city’s Thornton estate.
One councillor has labelled the move as “irresponsible”, but health bosses have committed to maintaining services for residents in the area.
Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale, who represents the area, said he was worried the move could lead to more walk-in visits to nearby Hull Royal Infirmary at a time when hospital staff are having to deal with a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Fellow ward colleague Councillor Haroldo Herrera-richmond said: “This surgery serves one of the most deprived areas of the city. It also services one of the most ethnically diverse areas.
“To close it has implications about their commitment to their patients.
“At a time when the government and NHS are asking people to limit their travel as much as possible, the closing of a surgery, which serves a large proportion of patients of greater vulnerability, seems irresponsible.”
Patients at the practice, which is run by City Health Care Partnership, (CHCP) were informed of the temporary closure earlier this week.
The practice also temporarily closed at the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
From next Monday alternative face-to-face appointments with a doctor, practice nurse or a health professional will be available at the Quays Health Centre in Albion Street in the city centre or the Kingston Medical Centre in Beverley Road.
Based in the Octagon Centre in Walker Street, the practice resumed normal opening hours in September after initially closing during the early part of the first national lockdown last March.
Primary care services provided at the practice are commissioned by NHS Hull Clinical Commission Group.
In a letter to councillors, CCG chief executive Emma Latimer said: “Following a recent CHCP review of workload and requests from the CCG, NHS S Eng land d and the local al authority to further support ort the pandemic emic response and nd to support the delivery of the covid vaccination programme, CHCP has taken the decision that there would need to be a further temporary move for faceto-face appointments to take place at the Quays Health centre.
“The practice offers a triage process, which means that all patients contacting the practice are spoken to and reviewed as to the best way to deliver their care in line with the current Covid restrictions.
“This is not affected by the temporary change in location for face-to-face consultations.
“The CCG al alongside our pr providers are co committed to sus sustaining and deve developing a range of primary commun community and voluntary services serv at the Riverside practice in keeping with meeting the needs of the population living in that area.”
In a statement on its website, CHCP said: “From Monday, January 11, Riverside GP practice will be closed to patients for face-to-face appointments.
“You can still arrange a telephone or video appointment and if you need to see a GP or other health care professional, this will be arranged for you at one of our other practice venues.”