Islington Tribune - News: Pressure mounts on PCT over GPs closure row

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 14 March 2008

Sharon Hadland

Pressure mounts on PCT over GPs closure row

THE campaign to save a Highbury GP surgery intensified this week after a team of Islington councillors held talks with the doctor, patients and staff.
At the same time wheelchair-user Sharon Hadland, 42, continued her one-woman demonstration this week outside the surgery in Blackstock Road.
The councillors dismissed a claim by Islington’s Primary Care Trust (PCT) that the surgery was not wheelchair friendly – one of the reasons given to close it down.
The campaign was launched after the PCT announced it would not be replacing popular retiring GP Dr Jitendra Patel. The surgery is due to close at the end of this month but many of the 2,000 patients are unhappy with the distance they may need to travel to new GPs.
Visiting Dr Patel on Monday were members of the council’s Scrutiny Committee, including Labour opposition leader Cllr Catherine West, Labour councillors Phil Kelly, Theresa Debono and Richard Greening and Lib Dem Cllr Merel Ece.
Cllr Greening, who is also a patient with Dr Patel, has already handed in a petition with 250 names calling for the surgery to remain open.
He added: “The surgery is clearly accessible to people in wheelchairs. There is one step to get in but it’s not a big step and can be removed.
“We found that the surgery has space for two GPs and a nurse and there are other rooms. We think minimal work would be required for disabled access. Meanwhile, it was my impression that a lot of patients will struggle to find a new GP in the area.”
A report from the councillors will now go to the PCT, recommending that the surgery remains open. Ms Hadland repeated that she intends to demonstrate until the PCT talk to her.
She added: “I don’t want to have to go to a big, anonymous GP practice at the other side of the borough.”
A PCT spokeswoman said as far as she knew the majority if not all of Dr Patel’s patients have been given details of their new surgery.
“We have also explained that patients are free to choose their own surgery if they feel that the one the PCT has chosen is not suitable for their needs,” she said.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: