Local MP Mark Pawsey held urgent talks with representatives from NHS England last week to discuss General Practice provision for patients of Brownsover and Albert Street Medical Centres.
The contract with the partners who run both surgeries comes to an end on 17th April with patients relocating on a temporary basis to a new practice at 2A Lower Hillmorton Road or other GP surgeries within the town.
Mark said:
“I was aware that discussions have been taking place for some time regarding the future of the General Practices in Brownsover and on Albert Street in the town centre. I was led to believe that these discussions would successfully resolve the situation and ensure the continuation of the present services for my constituents who use the practices.”
Mark continued:
“As soon as I was made aware that this was not the case I contacted NHS England to arrange an urgent meeting which took place last Thursday (26th February) in my Rugby office. All Rugby residents deserve high quality primary health care services from a local GP surgery and I reiterated this in the strongest terms when I met with representatives from NHS England. I raised serious concerns over the level of engagement with patients by NHS England and would urge any of my constituents with concerns to attend the planned drop in meetings or to contact me.
NHS England have assured me that this is a temporary situation with work soon beginning on the long awaited new medical centre in Brownsover. Plans for a new medical centre in the area have been discussed for over 10 years and it is imperative that work now begins and a new state of the art centre is provided for local residents. I understand that transport arrangements will be made for any patients of the surgery who may have difficulty in attending their temporary practice in the interim period as the new medical centre is built.”
Mark concluded:
“Even at this late stage I will be doing all I can to ensure that every avenue is comprehensively pursued with a view to retaining a General Practice service within Brownsover whilst the new medical centre is built.”