100 signatures reached
To: NHS England
SAVE EARL’S COURT MEDICAL CENTRE
Earl’s Court Medical Centre is threatened with closure because the practice contract may be dissolved against the wishes of the local community.
Why is this important?
It has come to our attention that NHS England is threatening to close this surgery within months due to one of the partners dissolving the contract for GP services here against the wishes of his fellow partners, staff and most importantly the 6000 patients signed up here.
This move will unnecessarily make many patients including vulnerable and elderly members of our community deeply anxious and could cause negative health, social and psychological effects. It is completely unfair that the actions of one GP should have a severely detrimental effect on the very existence of this surgery and its wider community – many of which have been members of this practice for over 20 years.
The Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England should seek to consult with the practice’s patients in order to see if an amicable solution can be found before making a decision of this magnitude. Earl’s Court Medical Centre (previously Om Sai Clinic) has been a vital part of our community for nearly 50 years and we cannot afford to lose this hugely important provision of local healthcare.
This is a dispute between the doctors but the practice’s patients are very much dependent on this Centre and are happy with the high quality of service that they receive. The location is excellent being situated next to Earls Court Underground Station, easy parking, close to bus links, the A4 and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. A decision like this should not be imposed on us when a huge majority of people associated with the practice including staff and patients strongly oppose any possible closure. There are no similar facilities near here and no comparable service. Patients feel safe, comfortable and reassured here even at times of great stress and worry for them. The closure of this surgery would result in the displacement of thousands of patients that would need to be relocated elsewhere, putting severe strain on neighbouring GP surgeries. This is not in the interests of NHS service provision in this part of London which is already facing huge pressures in dealing with demand.
The NHS funded the purchase of the freehold of the building on Earl’s Court Road and they funded the formation of the practice, which is purpose built for healthcare services and represents millions of pounds worth of public investment over many years. The NHS pays a £200k/annum interest only mortgage for the premises. They pay for the running of this successful practice. To close it down would be a real travesty.
This practice even has potential for growth. With additional doctors, the facility could cope with an extra 4,000 patients bringing the total to a possible 10,000.
What needs to happen now?
• Our aim is to do what is required in order to keep this surgery open
• The people this affects are primarily the patients and staff. NHS England should consult the other GPs, staff and patients before arriving at a decision.
• Do not proceed with any change until sufficient time should be given to a process of mediation between NHS England and the GPs concerned in order to explore all available options to keep this practice open instead of rushing through an ill conceived decision.
What are the solutions?
• NHS England to buy the partner out and find a replacement GP to replace him in order to sustain the practice contract
• NHS England to buy the freehold of the property thereby safeguarding the longevity of the surgery
• NHS England to halt any change to the existence of the surgery on the condition of seeking to find an alternative partner to replace the one that wishes to exit.
• Give control to the remaining 2 GPs who are willing to buy the exiting partner out under a newly issued contract.
We would be most grateful if you could do all that you can to save this practice from closure. It is against the will of the community at large and all seems to come from the actions of one doctor. This can so easily be avoided if some compassion, discretion and common sense could be applied at a senior level where such decisions can be taken.
If necessarily, we would be grateful if you could raise this with the Secretary of State for Health as we feel these needs the attention at the highest levels in order to protect such a vital community asset concerning thousands of people.
This move will unnecessarily make many patients including vulnerable and elderly members of our community deeply anxious and could cause negative health, social and psychological effects. It is completely unfair that the actions of one GP should have a severely detrimental effect on the very existence of this surgery and its wider community – many of which have been members of this practice for over 20 years.
The Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England should seek to consult with the practice’s patients in order to see if an amicable solution can be found before making a decision of this magnitude. Earl’s Court Medical Centre (previously Om Sai Clinic) has been a vital part of our community for nearly 50 years and we cannot afford to lose this hugely important provision of local healthcare.
This is a dispute between the doctors but the practice’s patients are very much dependent on this Centre and are happy with the high quality of service that they receive. The location is excellent being situated next to Earls Court Underground Station, easy parking, close to bus links, the A4 and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. A decision like this should not be imposed on us when a huge majority of people associated with the practice including staff and patients strongly oppose any possible closure. There are no similar facilities near here and no comparable service. Patients feel safe, comfortable and reassured here even at times of great stress and worry for them. The closure of this surgery would result in the displacement of thousands of patients that would need to be relocated elsewhere, putting severe strain on neighbouring GP surgeries. This is not in the interests of NHS service provision in this part of London which is already facing huge pressures in dealing with demand.
The NHS funded the purchase of the freehold of the building on Earl’s Court Road and they funded the formation of the practice, which is purpose built for healthcare services and represents millions of pounds worth of public investment over many years. The NHS pays a £200k/annum interest only mortgage for the premises. They pay for the running of this successful practice. To close it down would be a real travesty.
This practice even has potential for growth. With additional doctors, the facility could cope with an extra 4,000 patients bringing the total to a possible 10,000.
What needs to happen now?
• Our aim is to do what is required in order to keep this surgery open
• The people this affects are primarily the patients and staff. NHS England should consult the other GPs, staff and patients before arriving at a decision.
• Do not proceed with any change until sufficient time should be given to a process of mediation between NHS England and the GPs concerned in order to explore all available options to keep this practice open instead of rushing through an ill conceived decision.
What are the solutions?
• NHS England to buy the partner out and find a replacement GP to replace him in order to sustain the practice contract
• NHS England to buy the freehold of the property thereby safeguarding the longevity of the surgery
• NHS England to halt any change to the existence of the surgery on the condition of seeking to find an alternative partner to replace the one that wishes to exit.
• Give control to the remaining 2 GPs who are willing to buy the exiting partner out under a newly issued contract.
We would be most grateful if you could do all that you can to save this practice from closure. It is against the will of the community at large and all seems to come from the actions of one doctor. This can so easily be avoided if some compassion, discretion and common sense could be applied at a senior level where such decisions can be taken.
If necessarily, we would be grateful if you could raise this with the Secretary of State for Health as we feel these needs the attention at the highest levels in order to protect such a vital community asset concerning thousands of people.
