Farrier House Surgery closure - NHS bosses offer reassurance

Farrier House Surgery, based in Farrier Street in Worcester city centre, has announced it will close in weeks sending a letter to patients.

But NHS bosses have offered reassurances there is a "robust plan" in place to ensure the best possible care for city patients.

The surgery said it had taken the "difficult decision" to close the practice from Friday, March 1. 

"Due to challenges with recruitment and rising costs, we are unable to continue to operate," the surgery said.

"We have worked closely with our NHS partners over many months to find someone to take over the running of this practice, but unfortunately have been unsuccessful."

CLOSED: Farrier House, Worcester (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)The surgery said it has received several kind calls and messages from patients after announcing the news, saying it was appreciated by the staff. 

Patients have been offered places at nine practices in Worcester which are welcoming a share of Farrier House patients onto their lists. 

But many have said they preferred it would stay open.

Patient Molly Clay said: "I'm extremely disappointed. It was in a fantastic location and the staff were always helpful and efficient.

"I think the feeling of disappointment has been made much worse by the fact that part of their reasoning is due to 'rising costs'. It's hard to believe that this can be the cause. 

SURGERY: Farrier House Surgery (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

"I would absolutely love them to reverse the decision - I'm not sure how realistic this would be. 

"I think this pretty much guarantees more pressure on other surgeries in the surrounding areas."

Rachel Wilmot said: "I will be sad that this is closing. I’ve not had any problems there and they are really good if you need something."

Chantelle Elizabeth Cain said: "They want to build more houses in the surrounding area - more people but taking away vital service."

CLOSURE: Farrier House is closing (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Carolyne Evans added: "It is ridiculous. It’s hard enough to get an appointment at any surgery without one closing to make it even harder."

Tom Collins, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said the closure risked patient safety. 

"Access to a GP is already patchy in Worcester. 

"This is the result of years of mismanagement by the government and a lack of a long-term plan.

"Once again people in Worcester have been failed.

'MORE STRAIN': Tom Collins outside the surgery (Image: From public)

But Robin Walker, Worcester's Conservative MP, said he had reassurances there is a reasonable number of practices and enough coverage to cope with its closure. 

"This is not a political issue - it is a decision by those running the practice," the MP said.

"Some senior doctors has moved and they had not been able to replace them.

"This was run of most expensive practices to run in the city. "

Dr Jonathan Clarke, clinical director at Worcester City Primary Care Network, said: "We’ve been working closely with Farrier House, SW Healthcare, and other colleagues across our local NHS to plan for the potential closure of this practice for a period of several months, taking into account capacity and demand across the entire city.

"We’re confident we’ve got a robust plan in place to ensure we continue to provide the best possible care for our patients and protect NHS services in Worcester."