Surgery Closure Announced - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Surgery Closure Announced – THE NHS Mid & South Essex ICB has announced the closure of the Rayleigh Road Surgery, Eastwood Group Practice.

Surgery Closure Announced - THE NHS Mid & South Essex ICB has announced the closure of the Rayleigh Road Surgery, Eastwood Group Practice.

THE NHS Mid & South Essex ICB has announced the closure of the Rayleigh Road Surgery, Eastwood Group Practice.

The Eastwood Park Liberal Democrat Councillors have issued a statement saying that they: “Regret the appalling decision of the Primary Care Commissioning Committee, of the NHS Mid & South Essex ICB on 12 March 2025 to accept the application by the Eastwood Group Practice to close its 346 Rayleigh Road Branch on March 31.

“We have explained that this Surgery has provided medical and general practice care to Eastwood people for over 60 years and in that time, the neighbourhood served by the location has risen to over 9,511 residents of which 27.7% are aged 65 or over.

“Accessibility to good medical care is the cornerstone of the elected Councillors demands and we feel moving these much needed services to two other buildings that either on the boundary of Eastwood or outside of the area will cause distress and potential harm to Primary Care for some of our Eastwood residents.”

The statement adds: “The mitigations specified by the ICB are: Improved patient access to the wider team of healthcare professionals and GP trainees at the two other sites. Moving to an online consultation system and encouraging patients to use online tools, with traditional methods of Doctor care still available. Continuing to review transport links, and they note the proposed new Bus Services (23A/23B) coming into Eastwood to Belfairs later this year.”

“The Practice confirm they are looking at ‘exploring alternative nearby options for car parking at Belfairs’ without any specifics listed. The Practice will consider the wider use of Community transport services were required.

“We feel that the Practice is very fortunate that the Eastwood Park Councillors have led the way with others to bring back a bus service through Eastwood to Leigh that will be calling close to the Belfairs branch of the Eastwood Group Practice.

“We will continue to support our residents to come to terms with this complete withdrawal of NHS Primary Care services in the centre of our community and we will continue to press the NHS to make sure this closure does not cause unnecessary harm.

“Lastly, the ICB letter reminds the people of Eastwood that they have the choice to move and register with another General Practice, and advise people to check this by going to their webpage: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp.”

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