Declares that the Petitioners along with the Wednesbury Labour team deplore the decision made by NHS England to close Mallins doctors surgery at High Bullen Wednesbury without the required consultation with patients, staff, local councillors and the local authority; further that the Petitioners believe that NHS England have failed to give the required 90 days’ notice to patients; and further that the Petitioners believe that NHS England failed to consult the council under section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage NHS England to review the decision to close Mallins doctors surgery and require NHS England to undertake the required consultation with patients, staff and the local council, among others.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr Adrian Bailey, Official Report, 26 March 2014; Vol. 578, c. 1P .]
[P001339]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
NHS England is responsible for commissioning and ensuring adequate provision of GP services. It would not be appropriate for the Department of Health or Ministers to intervene in this matter.
Malling Health GP practice is housed on land owned by the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, and the sub-lease is due to expire on 30 April 2014. The Council has stated that there is no option to extend the lease.
The contract with Malling Health was put in place to provide primary medical services for at least 6,000 people. The patient list size is currently 1,690.
A Feasibility and Options Appraisal was undertaken by NHS Property Services, which detailed costs of potential relocation of the practice to other premises. NHS England advises that the costs associated with relocation were very high and not financially viable.
NHS England is confident there is sufficient GP capacity within a one mile radius of the Malling Health GP practice for the patients affected. The practice is therefore to close on 11 April 2014 following agreement with the provider. The Area Team is committed to ensuring that patients have continued access to local, high quality GP services and will work to minimise disruption for patients as a result of the closure.