Serious concerns raised over Netherton surgery closure

The partners of the surgery, a branch of the Orchard Croft Medical Centre in Horbury, have announce the proposed closure.

Under the proposal, services previously provided at the Netherton branch surgery would move to the larger Orchard Croft Medical Centre.

Drs De Silva, Saunders, Bennett, Hashmi and Stonell wrote: “The practice has experienced difficulties in recruiting since the retirement of the senior partner some 18 months ago. This is following the national trend of GPs leaving general practice and the reduction of new doctors entering training.”

The letter went out to 1377 local residents who may use the Netherton branch surgery (those with a Netherton, Midgley, Middlestown or Overton postcode).

Patients have until March 24 to provide feedback as part of the practice’s consultation.

MP Mary Creagh MP has written to Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group to raise her concerns, in particular regarding the transport between Netherton and Horbury for elderly patients or those with mobility problems.

Ms Creagh said: “The proposed closure of the Netherton surgery is yet another result of the government’s failure on our NHS: as the surgery’s partners have highlighted, it is the consequence of a national trend of GPs leaving general practice and fewer newly qualified doctors entering training.

“The loss of Netherton surgery would be a real blow to the village and surrounding area. I am particularly concerned about transport for elderly patients or those with mobility problems: there is only one bus an hour between Netherton and Horbury and even then it doesn’t stop outside the medical centre.”