The Deputy Leader of Coventry Conservatives, Councillor Allan Andrews, has raised concerns about the closure of a GP’s surgery in Styvechale and has called for more time to consider the impact in the community. The Maidavale Surgery is set to merge with another practice in Park Road, near the train station.
NHS commissioners responsible for primary care have advised the Council of plans for local GP practices to merge into one combined practice on one site. The Maidavale Surgery has 2300 patients on its records and Styvechale’s Councillor, Allan Andrews, has questioned the impact the closure will have on local people.
Commenting on the proposed merger, Allan said: “This proposal has been met with confusion on all sides. I was first advised by Council Officers on Monday (22 July) that the NHS has given assurances that full consultation has taken place yet a number of local residents I have discussed this issue with have been taken by surprise by this merger. Having discussed this issue with the NHS, it transpired that no consultation had taken place and that until given approval by Councillors, nothing would be done.
“Given the uncertainty and the lack of knowledge about the impact the closure of this surgery will have in the community and on its many patients, I have asked for the item to be deferred so that further and more detailed scrutiny can take place about the impact this would have in Styvechale. Many of the patients are elderly and I am extremely concerned about how those individuals will continue to access primary care in the community should the merger go ahead.
“I understand that there are concerns about service continuity yet I am concerned that this proposal is being rushed through very quietly and the impact on the 2300 patients at the Maidavale practice has not been adequately thought through. I believe we need to put the brakes on this proposal, have detailed discussions about the impact and explore other options that wouldn’t leave local patients without access to a nearby family doctor.”