The unacceptable slippage in providing a much needed replacement surgery for residents in Brownsover was on the agenda at the most high profile Parliamentary event of the week thanks to local MP Mark Pawsey.
Brownsover’s previous GP surgery closed in April 2015. At the time, residents were promised by NHS England that a new surgery would be opened by summer 2016 – however, over two and a half years later work is yet to begin at the new site.
Rugby’s MP Mark Pawsey used Prime Minister’s Questions to highlight the unacceptable delay in this process and the tremendous patience of people in Brownsover. In her response the Prime Minster, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, said that “in this particular case that all the local health organisations remain fully committed to this project. They are confident that it will bring benefits to the local population in the long term.”
Speaking after Prime Minister’s Questions, Mark said:
“Residents in Brownsover have been incredibly patient, but the delay in providing a replacement surgery is unacceptable. The case for a new surgery is absolutely undeniable and I am grateful to the Prime Minister for her comments. I am continuing to press NHS England and NHS Property Services to make good on the promises they have made to the community.”
Mark continued:
“Since the announcement that Brownsover Surgery was to close, I have worked closely with Brownsover Patients Action Group (BPAG) to ensure that local residents are kept involved in the process of providing a new surgery. I have also brought this matter to the attention of the previous Minister of State for Public Health during a meeting which was attended by representatives of BPAG.”
Mark concluded:
“I share the frustrations of residents in Brownsover at the continued slippage in the delivery of this surgery. I will continue to monitor progress on this issue closely and will shortly be meeting, alongside members of Brownsover Patients Action Group, NHS England to demand an update on their progress and that no further delays occur. I will also continue to update my colleagues in the Department of Health of any progress in getting this surgery built and I will not hesitate to raise this issue again in Parliament if little progress is made.”
Jake Stevenson of the Brownsover Patients Action Group said:
“The BPAG are delighted that Mark used PMQ’s to highlight the delays in the Brownsover Surgery Project. It was reassuring that the Prime Minister confirmed that NHSE have committed to delivering the Surgery to the revised timetable and we are grateful to Mark for his ongoing support of our campaign. We look forward to our meeting with NHSE and Mark on the 24th November.”