Spalding GP Surgery to close.

A doctors surgery created in 2018 to replace another is to close in October with patients to be transferred elsewhere while the NHS looks at options.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHST Trust says it is not going to renew the contract to run the Spalding Surgery from the Johnson Hospital when it runs out on September 30.

It was set up after the closure of the Pennygate Surgery and was intended to be a temporary base while the NHS found a site for the west of Spalding.

But today the newly formed NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), previously known as NHS
Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group), has said Spalding Surgery patients will be automatically registered elsewhere from October.

The service was told to improve following a Care Quality Commission inspection earlier this year.

The NHS Trust says its stopping hosting the service as it “has decided to focus on working in partnership with GP surgery providers to develop services in local communities rather than as a provider of GP services”.

As part of an ‘Expression of Interest’ process places that could host a new surgery are being asked to come forward.

A spokesman for the NHS said: “Patients at a GP surgery in Spalding are being informed they will be automatically registered at an alternative GP surgery as early as October this year as part of plans
to transform services in the area.

“Spalding GP Surgery based at the Johnson Community Hospital in the town provide primary care medical services to over 3000 patients.

“Since 2018, services at Spalding GP Surgery have been provided by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS). The contract that is currently in place with LCHS ends on the September 30, 2022.

“LCHS have decided not to extend their contract, however, they have agreed to continue providing services at Spalding GP Surgery until an alternative service is in place.

“NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), previously known as NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group), have now outlined plans to undertake a managed list dispersal through an Expression of Interest process.

“This means that when the Expression of Interest process has been completed, patients registered at Spalding GP Surgery will be automatically registered at an alternative GP surgery.

“In a letter sent to patients, Sarah-Jane Mills, Director of Primary Care, Communities and Social Value at the ICB reassured patients that during this process, they should continue to access services at Spalding GP Surgery as normal and encourages patients to share their views about what is important to them when accessing local primary care medical services.”

To have their say, patients can complete an online survey (or collect a paper copy from the surgery).

Patients are also being invited to attend one of three drop-in events where they can talk to a member of the NHS team about the process.

The events are as follows:
o Event 1 – 6-8pm, July 20 2022, Patio Room, Springfields Events &
Conference Centre, Camel Gate, Spalding PE12 6ET
o Event 2 – 10am-12pm, July 22 2022, Room ADM124/125, Johnson
Community Hospital, Spalding Road, Pinchbeck, Spalding PE11 3DT
o Event 3 – 2.30pm-4.30pm, August 18 2022, Patio Room, Springfields
Events & Conference Centre, Camel Gate, Spalding PE12 6ET

If patients would like more information in general about the process or to request information in alternative formats, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) by telephone on 0300 123 9553 or by email at LHNT.LincsPALS@nhs.net.

The service is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

The consultation runs from Wednesday July 13, 2022 until midnight on Wednesday September 7 2022.

For more, visit the NHS website.