Patients not asked about clinic cuts
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 14th December 2000.
A RESIDENTS group fighting plans to reduce surgery hours on the Clements Estate at Haverhill said most people in the area were not consulted about the plans.
Peter Watkins, chairman of the New Clements Residents Association, said they never got consultation documents sent out by the surgery and he had spoken to many residents who knew nothing about it.
The association will hold a public meeting this Friday at Clements Primary school at 7pm to discuss the plans to cut opening hours and clinics at the Clements Surgery once doctors at the practise open a new surgery in Hanchett End.
Mr Watkins said he understood there would be no afternoon appointments at the surgery once Hanchett End was open and many clinics would be moved there.
There were also fears the Clements Post Office and pharmacy could cease to be viable and close.
"We are not against a surgery opening at Hanchett End, but this will inconvenience people.
"people won't be able to get an appointment before work and it will be difficult for young mothers and elderly people without transport to get to Hanchett End for clinics," he said.
Doctors at the practise said only one fifth of their patients live on the Clements estate.
However Mr Watkins said he did not believe people could use other surgeries in the town as they were already full.
MP Richard Spring took up the issue after being contacted by the association and will hold a meeting with Joanne Spicer, chairwoman of Suffolk Health, to discuss the issue before attending the meeting.
The consultation deadline for the plan has been put back to December 31.
Peter Watkins, chairman of the New Clements Residents Association, said they never got consultation documents sent out by the surgery and he had spoken to many residents who knew nothing about it.
The association will hold a public meeting this Friday at Clements Primary school at 7pm to discuss the plans to cut opening hours and clinics at the Clements Surgery once doctors at the practise open a new surgery in Hanchett End.
Mr Watkins said he understood there would be no afternoon appointments at the surgery once Hanchett End was open and many clinics would be moved there.
There were also fears the Clements Post Office and pharmacy could cease to be viable and close.
"We are not against a surgery opening at Hanchett End, but this will inconvenience people.
"people won't be able to get an appointment before work and it will be difficult for young mothers and elderly people without transport to get to Hanchett End for clinics," he said.
Doctors at the practise said only one fifth of their patients live on the Clements estate.
However Mr Watkins said he did not believe people could use other surgeries in the town as they were already full.
MP Richard Spring took up the issue after being contacted by the association and will hold a meeting with Joanne Spicer, chairwoman of Suffolk Health, to discuss the issue before attending the meeting.
The consultation deadline for the plan has been put back to December 31.
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