On Thursday, 1 October, Helen Whately MP attended a meeting organised by Downswood Parish Council in response to the closure of Downswood Spires Medical Centre for GP appointments. At the meeting, Downswood residents raised their concerns to Roz Cheeseman, Chair of the Parish Council, Kent County Councillor Gary Cooke and Helen.
Residents described how they felt the GP surgery had been winding down for a considerable amount of time. For instance, when trying to book an appointment at Downswood Spires Medical Centre they had frequently been directed to Shepway or Grove Green Surgeries instead. However, the already reduced services at Downswood Spires have now stopped altogether.
Residents explained that they now have to make the lengthy trip to alternative surgeries. For Grove Green Surgery this involves a three hour round trip and four buses – two there and two back. This is particularly difficult for older people and those with young children and some have had to resort to expensive taxi journeys.
A representative from NHS Southeast England, which is responsible for commissioning GP services in this area, regretted that she was unable to attend the meeting, but had given Helen an update in advance of the meeting. She made clear that NHS Southeast England was concerned that the surgery had been closed without a full public consultation, contrary to a previous agreement reached with the practice.
Helen will be holding a follow up meeting in the next few weeks involving NHS Southeast England, the Parish Council and Dr Singh, of Downswood Medical Centre. In the meantime, any residents who have been affected should not hesitate to contact Helen so that the best outcome can be secured for Downswood.
Helen Whately said; “The Surgery has stopped offering appointments with no warning – not even carrying out a consultation. This is unacceptable. The journey by public transport to the sister surgeries where patients are being directed is difficult and time consuming. NHS South East, as the commissioner, is investigating what’s going on and we are going to have a meeting together with Dr Singh within the next couple of weeks. I am expecting to hear a better answer at that meeting.”