Woman with no PC had to walk miles after GP surgery closed

After being approached by a Woolsthorpe by Belvoir resident with no computer access, and, who had to walk miles to access an alternative GP surgery when hers was ‘temporarily closed’, South Kesteven District Cllr Charmaine Morgan (Labour) , Chair SOSGrantham Hospital has put forward a draft motion for the next Full Council.

She said ‘ It’s absolutely vital we retain local NHS health services across our District. All the more important where the communities served are small and remote.

“This lady had to walk miles in the summer. Supposing she was less mobile? What if it were the middle of winter? These cuts will have a real affect on people.

“There is an alarming trend emerging in closure of our NHS sites across the District. This erosion of our health services must be halted. It is hugely concerning for those communities affected and for the impact it may have on strategic growth plans.”

She continued: “SKDC needs to take a proactive stance, supporting local campaigners and  defending our NHS services which are so vital to communities in our towns and villages.

“We must do whatever we can to lobby those who could make a difference. This trend cannot be allowed to continue, especially as the Covid19 threat remains and travel should be minimised. The Government promised to protect our NHS but it is failing us.

“With a growing population and new development planned the provision of good local health care is vital for our communities, especially given the remote location of many of our communities further affected by poor public transport.

She is presenting the following motion to the full council:

1. South Kesteven District Council opposes the planned loss of services at Grantham District Hospital by United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust and resolves to respond to its latest Public Consultation.

2. South Kesteven District Council opposes the loss of GP practices at St Mary’s, Stamford and opposes the loss of the GP practice at  The Vale Medical Group site in Woolesthorpe by Belvoir,  which are also under threat. We support local communities challenging  service losses.

3. South Kesteven District Council resolves to take whatever action is necessary to defend vital local NHS services across the District. Such cuts not only place existing residents and workers at risk but also undermine the Council’s Strategic Growth plans.

4. SKDC calls upon NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group and other neighbouring CCGs as necessary to intervene and halt the closure of these GP surgeries and halt the degradation of health care services in our District. The closures and service loss risk denying some our most vulnerable rural and potentially low income residents access to the local health care they are entitled to as UK residents and/or taxpayers.

5. South Kesteven District Council calls upon Lincolnshire County Council Health Scrutiny Committee to defend our local NHS services.

6. This Council commits to lobby the Health Minister to protect local NHS services, including hospital and GP surgeries from reduction in local services and commitment to prevent any further erosion of  NHS services in our District.