A medical practice group has taken the “difficult decision” to axe one of its surgeries owing to financial pressures.
Highparks Medical Practice said it was becoming “financially unsustainable” to operate across all four of its Medway sites, especially due to running costs and the maintenance of buildings.
The healthcare provider offers services to patients from separate GP surgeries based in Cliffe Woods, Cliffe, Higham and Wainscott.
But Highparks says it now needs to take steps to stabilise the practice’s financial position to be sustainable going forward and is therefore looking to close its site in Hermitage Road, Higham.
It followed an independent assessment of all its sites, which included a review of staff allocation, services offered, and overall finances.
Based on the findings, it says it decided the Higham site would have the least impact on patients.
And now, after careful consideration and more than 18 months of in-depth discussions, it is making a formal application to close this branch.
In a statement announcing the decision online today (January 13), Highparks said: “We understand this decision may raise questions or concerns, and we want to hear from you.
“We invite all of our patients to share how this proposed closure might affect you.”
It is providing several ways to give feedback, including patient surveys and several drop-in sessions.
All materials and surveys will be available online, as well as in hard copy at the reception areas of all four sites and in local community areas. For patients who are housebound, this will sent by post.
You can find the survey here.
This engagement period will last for ten weeks, starting on Monday January 27 and ending on Sunday April 6.
After this the general practice will submit its application for closure, publish details of the outcome of the engagement and the next steps.
It added: “The practice emphasises that this is a difficult decision, and we want to assure patients that we are committed to providing safe, high-quality care throughout this transition.
“We hope you can understand the reasons for this announcement and can appreciate why this difficult decision has been made.”
Highparks said there is no plan to reduce workforce levels as part of the closure, with this move about using its workforce “as effectively as possible”.
The nearest site to Higham is the main site at Cliffe Woods, which is 1.9 miles away, and approximately seven minutes away by car.
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