MP's fears after thousands face GP surgery switch

Fears around the relocation of a Merseyside village's GP services have been brought to Parliament.

The doctors' surgery in Billinge, near St Helens, has about 8,500 patients but in September their services will move two miles away to Garswood Medical Centre in the neighbouring village of Garswood, because the building is being put up sale.

On Tuesday, the Labour MP for St Helens North, David Baines, told the House of Commons he was worried about the impact on patients "for many reasons", including that it was "not easily accessible by public transport".

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said its priority was "preserving continuity of care for patients".

When Baines rose to speak to fellow MPs, he addressed Stephen Kinnock, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care.

"Does the Minister agree with me that communities like Billinge deserve their own medical practice, and will he or his officials agree to meet with me to discuss a way forward?," he said.

Kinnock agreed to a meeting, saying: "I know it's something he feels very, very strongly about.

"It sounds like some progress is being made but we need to make sure we get it sorted."

The Billinge Patient Participation Group has also said it is worried people's health could suffer if they have to travel further to see a doctor.

"This is the most important thing that's happened in Billinge in 50 years and it has not been handled professionally," said Darren Gilchrist, the group's chairman.

"The Integrated Care Board have had a great opportunity to offer the people of Billinge an opportunity for a far improved medical service.

"They've failed to do that."

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said following the landlords' decision to sell the current building, Billinge Medical Practice's services would be moved to the first floor of Garswood Health Centre.

"Our collective priority is to maintain accessible, safe and stable primary care services, preserving continuity of care for patients," it said.

It said Garswood Health Centre would provide "high levels of service" for patients.

"We will work closely with the practice to ensure that patients are engaged and supported in relation to this relocation and are committed to ongoing assessment and evaluation of the move - to ensure patient and practice needs are met."

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