Save Lock's Hill Surgery

14 October 2016

Following the suspension of all services from Lock's Hill Surgery in Frome at the end of last month, local campaigners have launched a petition calling for the surgery to be saved for the benefit of the community. East Mendip Green Party (EMGP) gathered signatures from shoppers on Culverhill on Saturday, and found that many local people were angry with the way Frome Medical Practice (FMP) have acted. One local remarked "It's disgraceful - I rely on Lock's Hill." Another recalled "I remember they promised to keep it open when they took it over. They have been running it down for two or three years."

 

 

John Clarke of EMGP said, "Lock's Hill is a vital service for many people who live in the east of Frome, and its closure will result in real difficulties, particularly for the elderly, disabled and other disadvantaged people. FMP have suggested improving transport to the medical centre on the other side of town on Enos Way, but this is no replacement for having accessible services at the heart of the community, and there is no guarantee that these transport improvements will ever materialise."

 

We believe the brief and poorly publicised consultation undertaken by FMP was inadequate and should be re-opened to provide a genuine opportunity for people to voice their views. Our petition calls on NHS England to reject FMP's proposal to close Locks Hill surgery and to retain vital health service provision in the east of Frome."

 

Shane Collins, Green Party Mendip District Councillor for the area, said: "The consultation was only 4 weeks over summer holidays not 12 weeks as recommended. The lease has been allowed to run out by FMP before a decision by NHS England on it's closure.  When Park Road Surgery closed some years ago it was only agreed to on condition Locks Hill surgery was kept open to serve people in East Frome. If that is taken away some people will have to travel one and half miles to Frome Medical Centre. With a limited bus service, a taxi will be the option for more than half the people of Frome who do not have a car and can't make it on foot."

 

To sign the online version of our petition, please click here: https://www.change.org/p/nh s-england-save-lock-s-hill-surgery