BILLERICAY: Victory for health campaigners

SURGERIES will remain open in a victory for patients who have battled to save their local GP practices.

The early results of Billericay's health survey suggest that the plans to merge Billericay's seven existing surgeries into four super clinics will be scrapped.

A new report issued to Billericay Town Council, at the end of a contentious public consultation that has dragged on for nearly two years, states: "NHS South West Essex will not require a reduction in the number of GP practices."

Patients visiting the Western Road Surgery were delighted with the news on Monday.

Renee Makin, 80, of Whinhams Way, Billericay, said: "The surgery here is wonderful and has always served us very well.

"It's just around the corner for so many people to get to and is always there when you need it.

"When I heard that they wanted to create the new surgeries I wasn't at all in favour.

Agreeing, Joyce Oxland, 63, of Tensing Gardens, said: "We need this surgery.

"I've been a patient here for 25 years and you just get to know the staff.

"My mother is 91 and I always know that if I call a doctor from this surgery they will make the effort and come.

"The service is excellent."

NHS South West Essex had more than 1,000 responses to their questionnaires, which had to be reworded following concerns over the phrasing of the questions it contained.

Margaret Stockham, the Billericay Review Project's director, has analysed the results.

In her report on the findings, she stated: "There is confidence in the GP practices operating as they are.

"The people expressed a marginal preference for the current system of small practices and did not favour the proposed reduction in the number of surgeries."

James Hartshorn, 73, of Tensing Gardens, said: "That suits me just fine.

"I like to stick with what I know, and the service here has always been fantastic.

"I'd be very happy to see it stay as it is."

The report also makes it clear that the St Andrews Centre, in Stock Road, will stay open and that a strategic plan will be developed to extend and improve services.

However, the survey results revealed a mixed reaction to the quality of support and service provision for substance misuse and sexual and mental health issues in Billericay.

The full feedback from the questionnaire will not be known until the results are presented to the Trust Board of NHS South West Essex at a meeting expected in the next month.