The petition was part of the Green Party campaign to save Lock’s Hill surgery.  John Clarke, who initiated the petition, said "This response is welcome. We believe that proper patient consultation will provide further evidence of the need to refuse the closure request. But it is regrettable that NHS England have refused the petition request to hold a meeting with them and Frome Medical Practice at a venue close to Lock’s Hill. That would have been a genuine opportunity to hear the views of local people."

 

In a letter to East Mendip Greens, a spokesperson for NHS (England) stated: "It is important to have some further focused patient engagement around this (potential closure), particularly to gain feedback from patients who had not accessed the main Frome site prior to the closure of Locks Hill. Also to gain some further information on the support in place for patients in the event that the closure is approved."  The letter went on to say the FMP would be contacting "relevant patients" seeking their views and concerns.

 

John Clarke said “I question whether FMP’s previous attempt at consultation showed a true desire to hear what people had to say. Let's hope this attempt reflects a more honest approach. We suggested a suitable venue close to Lock's Hill surgery but that option was rejected. This makes one question how accessible the chance to contribute will be? Perhaps it shows a lack of understanding about the real difficulties some people have getting to the Medical Centre at Enos Way.

 

"Frome Medical Practice argued that the closure would result in the saving of £150,000 but there had been no pressure from the NHS (England) to make savings: the NHS (England) spokesperson told us that they were not aware of the proposal to close the surgery until they received the request from FMP.

 

"The discussions which have so far  taken place, whilst welcome, have been about how to mitigate the closure rather than resist and challenge it. A bus service from The Mount to the health centre is a possible positive outcome of those discussions, but there are no promises on when it will start or that once the dust has settled, the service won’t be cut for “lack of use". A recent letter published in the local press highlighted the potential impact and hardship  the "suspended" service has already created. This told how a person spent five hours travelling and waiting for a ten minute appointment and as a consequence suffered "pain and feeling very unwell." Is this really want we want?"

 

 

There will be a heavy cost for those vulnerable and disadvantaged of our community who delay or fail to seek health care because of real difficulties in accessing the Medical Centre. We urge people in Frome to take part in the patient engagement ending January 15 2017 . Complete the survey at  www.engage.england.nhs.uk or write to Dr.H.Kingston at Frome Medical Centre, Enos Way, Frome, Somerset BA11 2FH.