Mark Pawsey MP (far right) alongside the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt MP (centre right), Jake Stevenson of Brownsover Patients Action Group and representatives of NHS England.
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Bulkington this week convened a meeting between, the Minister of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt MP, Jake Stevenson of Brownsover Patients Action Group (BPAG) and NHS England.
Brownsover surgery, which closed in April 2015 following the withdrawal of the contract, has seen patients relocating on a temporary basis to a new practice at 2A Lower Hillmorton Road or other GP surgeries within the town.
Mark commented:
“The situation faced by those who depend on having a good, local surgery is unacceptable. Since being made aware of the closure of Brownsover surgery, I have convened a number of meetings with NHS England and with Brownsover residents. In February 2015, I was given a firm commitment by NHS England that a new surgery would be open by autumn 2016. Following recent discussions with NHS England, it became clear that this commitment would not be met. I therefore requested an urgent meeting with the Minister to press NHS England for action.”
Mark continued:
“I am grateful to the Minister for taking the time to meet with not only myself, but also a representative of the Brownsover Patients Action Group. The Minister shares the concerns which both I and BPAG raised at the meeting and I am pleased that he will seek to ensure that the delivery of a new surgery, which Brownsover residents have been promised for nearly a decade now, will be delivered as soon as possible. I will continue to monitor progress closely and I will request regular updates from NHS England on this matter.”
Jake Stevenson, who attended the meeting on behalf of BPAG, added:
“It was clear from meeting with the Minister that he shares the frustrations of patients that NHSE are taking too much time with this project. He has urged NHS England to expedite their processes so internal authorisations are granted before the end of April 2016. This could potentially see building work commence in October 2016. We [BPAG] will continue to apply all pressure we can on NHS England to deliver this project as soon as possible.”