Hundreds sign petition to save St Helen Auckland GP from closure

Auckland Medical Group wants to shut its St Helen Auckland facility because the “unsuitable” building does not meet accessibility requirements, adding that it is “not fit for purpose” and too costly. 

But a petition to save the surgery by West Auckland county councillors Rob Yorke and George Smith has been backed by nearly 300 residents since the weekend. Dozens of patients with placards reading 'Save Our Surgery' gathered outside the surgery yesterday (Monday, March 10) urging health bosses to keep the facility open.

A joint letter signed by the councillors to Auckland Medical Group bosses reads: “It is vital that access to GP services is improved, not reduced. Closing St. Helen Auckland Surgery would deprive the community of essential healthcare services.

Dozens of patients with placards reading “Save Our Surgery” gathered outside the practice on Monday, urging health bosses to keep the facility open. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

“Residents are extremely concerned to learn that they may lose a vital community asset, and if the surgery does close, then this will also have an impact upon St Helen Auckland Pharmacy on Melrose Drive.”

Auckland Medical Group said its alternative sites in Toft Hill and Bishop Auckland are better-suited. As part of the proposed changes, staff would be relocated to help manage the increased demand. 

A letter to patients added: “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.

"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. Patient safety will be improved through the continuity of care available by retaining all of the staff we currently have.”

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But residents say the expansion of the village and surrounding area means local healthcare services are vital. Travelling to alternative sites in Toft Hill or Bishop Auckland was also deemed unsuitable for elderly patients due to transport and accessibility difficulties, including no direct bus services between St Helen Auckland and Toft Hill. 

“We strongly believe that the St Helen Auckland Surgery remains a valuable asset to our community, and we urge you to reconsider this proposal,” the councillors added. 

Patients have been invited to share their views in an open survey.

A spokesperson for Auckland Medical Group said: "We have recently launched an engagement exercise to gather views on the proposed closure of the St Helen's Auckland branch of our GP practice.

"The current proposal is to centralise services to our Watling Road Surgery, as well as offering some services from our Toft Hill Surgery.  

"Our engagement period started on March 3 and will run until April 30. We have sent a questionnaire to all of our patients, and we encourage them, and other stakeholders, to share their views on this proposal and help inform our decision, so we can continue to provide the highest standard of care for our patients."