Patients shocked as surgery ordered out
PATIENTS in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank have been shocked by the news that their doctor’s surgery is facing closure.
The 2,500 patients served by Dr Mark Hindle at the Viran Medical Centre could be left without their GP when the lease on the Hesketh Lane surgery in Tarleton ends in June.
Hundreds have already signed an online petition to ensure a new home is found for the practice.
The surgery was second on an NHS Choices list of Lancashire surgeries assessed by patient satisfaction last year.
But Dr Hindle has been given notice to leave the premises and despite searching for a new building he has been left with nowhere to work.
Speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire, Dr Hindle explained: “I’ve been unable to secure premises for the future and I’ve got a contract with the NHS.
“I would be unable to provide the services under that contract if I was to be without premises, so I’ve had to serve a notice to hand the contract back.”
The GP said he did not want to leave his surgery and that he “really enjoyed being a GP in this area”.
But if he is unable to find new premises, his patients will be left without their doctor.
Dr Hindle said that under these circumstances: “The responsibility will be for NHS England or the Care Quality Commission (CCQ), or maybe both, to look after them”.
Lynn Crompton is the chair of the patient participation group for the surgery. Also speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire, she said: “This is a growing area with lots of house building going on; this is an area with an elderly population.
“There is a high footfall through the door of people met by extremely friendly and helpful staff.
“Closing this practice is not an option.”
The petition to provide a GP practice in Hesketh Bank to ensure the continuity of care for patients from the practice has gained hundreds of signatures online.
The petition, set up by Angela Cropper, reads: “In light of the very sad new that Dr Hindle has terminated his contract with NHS England with effect from June 30, 2017 due to ongoing issues with the future location practice.
“We urgently need you to find alternative accommodation so that Dr Hindle can continue to offer the highest quality GP care to his patients.” of the