A County Durham GP surgery has been earmarked for closure after the medical group behind it said that it is "not fit for purpose".
It was announced on Thursday (March 6) that the GP surgery on Manor Road in St Helen Auckland had been proposed for closure.
The decision, which is understood to be from Auckland Medical Group, which runs the GP surgery, is currently the subject of a patient consultation.
While the consultation is taking place, the surgery will remain open, but a sign has been added to the door of the GP practice to let patients know about the proposed closure.
Instead, the Medical Group say that it would run its other practices at Toft Hill and Watling Road and that patients would have to move to one of those.
A statement from the Auckland Medical Group reads: “The St Helens Auckland building is not fit for purpose and does not meet accessibility requirements.
"For example, the corridors and consulting rooms present challenges for patients who may be in a wheelchair.
"There are related similar difficulties for paramedic teams to treat and transfer patients from the clinical rooms.”
“Staff are having to spread their working days and time across multiple sites. This will cause some reductions in opening hours to be able to provide this.
"There are also significant associated financial costs with having to run three sites, which have been impacted by increased costs as you will appreciate.
"We own Toft Hill Surgery, and Watling Rd was purpose-built, so we feel we will be able to increase staff working at Toft Hill and offer more appointments.”
“Through staff working together over two sites, there will be a greater range of clinical expertise that can be obtained.
"It also provides increased opportunity for staff to benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of the staff across the team.
"Patient safety will be improved through the continuity of care available by retaining all of the staff we currently have.”
Despite talks of the proposed closure, Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth has called on patients impacted to fill in the survey.
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He said: "I have been made aware of the proposed closure of St Helens Surgery and have consulted the Practice Manager of Auckland Medical Group.
"I am assured patients will receive a survey on this via letters, texts, and copies are available in Auckland Medical Group practices.
You can also email auckland.medicalgroup@nhs.net to access this.
"I would encourage all patients to fill in the survey provided by Auckland Medical Group and have your say.
"I have been assured there will be public meetings held to discuss the proposal and I will share dates as soon I get them.
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