MORE than 200 people attended a special meeting in North Tawton Town Hall on Thursday, October 2, called by North Tawton Town Council, to discuss the future of North Tawton Medical Practice.

Nearly all present were some of the 2,600 patients of the practice.

The meeting was told that the Wallingbrook Health Group had "reluctantly taken the decision to terminate its (Personal Medical Services (PMS)) contract with NHS England to provide services for the North Tawton Medical Practice."

Doctors and partners from the Health Group told the meeting that the practice was not sustainable under the current contract.

A statement from the Health Group circulated at the meeting said: "Since taking over the contract in 2011, we have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of care for patients, and develop a sustainable medical service in North Tawton.

"However, the current NHS England contract falls significantly short of providing the necessary funding to do so, and we are unwilling to risk the health of the community by cutting services further.

MARCH 31, 2015

"Therefore, despite continued efforts to find a resolution with NHS England, we will cease to provide services for the North Tawton Medical Practice as of March 31, 2015.

"This is not a decision that Wallingbrook Health Group has taken lightly.

"Our priority has always been to improve the health and well-being of our patients and communities through professionalism, innovation and excellence in care. We have taken extensive steps to ensure a sustainable future for the practice:

• Spending £15,000 on plans to develop a new purpose-built, modern extension that would incorporate the local pharmacy and secure the future of the

Unfortunately, the plans and subsequent appeal were rejected.

• Increasing clinical sessions to improve patients' access to GPs.

• Improving systems for managing long-term health conditions.

• Introducing more efficient administrative functions without compromising patient care.

• Setting up and closely consulting with a strong Patient Participation Group (PPG).

"We enjoy a close, productive partnership with the PPG and North Tawton Town Council and, together, have explored every avenue to save the practice.

"The PPG and Town Council have also identified a new site for the practice and discussed its viability with Central Devon MP Mel Stride. The issue was subsequently raised with Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, but a response has not yet been received.

"And so, despite these efforts, it has become clear that the practice is not sustainable under the current contract and we have been forced to take this difficult decision.

"As previously stated, services will continue until March 31, 2015."

CONSULTATION

A statement from NHS England (Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Area Team) was also circulated at the meeting.

It said: "On termination of a contract, NHS England becomes legally responsible for ensuring continuity and provision of medical services to patients previously registered under the terminated contract though this does not remove the contractors own obligations in this respect leading up to the termination, to co-operate with NHS England in performing these functions."

The statement continued and explained that in determining how to ensure continuity, patients would be consulted, as would other members of the public and NHS England would "consider all possible opportunities prior to making a final decision how to meet the obligation to secure health services for the population."

The meeting was told that the Area Team would, as a matter of urgency, be discussing its approach to this consultation and how the eventual procurement will take place, including communication with patients and the public.

There was anger from some at the meeting who feared no future practice provision in the town.

Cllr Mrs Gillian Hoggins, chairman, kept tight order on the meeting and all those who wanted to speak were able to express their views.

One local resident said he would like to work on a solution involving the various agencies involved.

There was a fear that house prices could fall if there was no medical practice in the town, many said they did not want to leave the practice but would follow their doctor to the practices they would continue with at Chulmleigh, Winkleigh and Okehampton and others commented on other nearby practices, including Bow, which has a new purpose-built practice and is seeking to expand its client list.

TRANSPORT LINKS POOR

Future house building in the town was highlighted, fears about how elderly people would attend a surgery in another town or village, poor transport links and some other options such as less sessions, fundraising and lobbying were discussed.

The meeting concluded by agreeing to invite NHS England representatives and Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, to a public meeting organised by North Tawton Town Council.

Mr Stride, in a statement to the "Crediton Courier" says he is continuing to lobby NHS England over the future of North Tawton Medical Centre.

He said: "I am fighting flat out to ensure we retain a full GP service in North Tawton.

"Local residents need it and the excellent local pharmacy also depends upon the business it generates.

"I urge all local residents to engage fully in the consultation and to make sure that their voices are heard.

"I am also concerned that the consultation will not have been completed before the current contract is terminated so I have written to NHS England asking them to confirm that a local service will be fully provided for the duration of the consultation period."

Last month Mr Stride wrote to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, criticising NHS England for not providing enough support to Wallingbrook to help keep the practice open and for not replying to a letter he sent the chief executive, Simon Stevens, some time ago on the subject despite pressing his office on a number of occasions.

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