THE NHS is paying doctors’ surgeries a £25-a-time cash deal to take on thousands of patients from a closing practice.
Just three days before Eaton Place Surgery closes its doors, it emerged NHS England is forking out thousands of pounds to get nearby practices to take on more patients.
The Brighton surgery shuts on Saturday when partners Dr Malcolm Stalker and Dr Robert Mockett retire.
Patients and campaigners have called for a replacement surgery, claiming nearby doctors are full.
NHS England said it was unable disclose how much has been spent on patient registrations, but The Argus understands it may have committed £25,000 which could rise to nearly £100,000.
Around 1,000 patients had re-registered at the end of January and this week an NHS England spokeswoman said 2,200 patients – out of a total 5,600 – have signed up elsewhere. The deal applies to patients moving practices between February 1 and March 31 and is open to 13 nearby GPs.
NHS England said it was a one-off payment for administrative costs to help patients “re-register safely.”
But patient Maggie Barradell, of Brighton, said: “This really winds me up because we were told the NHS didn’t have money to spend. ] “This could have been better spent on a long-term solution instead of a quick fix.”
Nancy Platts, Labour parliamentary candidate for Kemptown, said: “I question if this is a good use of public money.
“NHS England need to show some leadership and we need another surgery.
“At the eleventh hour about 3,500 people still don’t have another GP and many are anxious about the future.”
An NHS England spokeswoman urged patients to find another doctor as soon as possible and said the body was not responsible for setting up new surgeries.
She added: “NHS England’s ongoing priority is to make sure all affected patients are able to choose alternative arrangements for their care and to guarantee they will all have ongoing access to GP services once the current surgery closes.
“We are providing support to reimburse practices for any administrative costs they incur in registering new patients.
“This reflects the imminent closure of Eaton Place and the number of patients other practices need to support to re-register safely.
“This recognises the additional staff and resources they may need and will ensure they can maintain services at the same level for their existing patients while they are undertaking this work.”
- Registration sessions take place at Eaton Place Surgery today between 2pm and 6pm and tomorrow between 10am and 2pm, and at Wellsbourne Health Centre, Whitehawk Road, Whitehawk, on Wednesday, March 4, 10am to 2pm.
The other surgeries
Albion Street Surgery
9 Albion Street
Brighton BN2 9PS
Telephone: 01273 601122
Ardingly Court
1 Ardingly Street
Brighton BN2 1SS
Telephone:01273 688333
Brighton Station Health Centre
Aspect House
84-87 Queens Road
Brighton BN1 3XE
Telephone: 0333 321 0946
Church Surgery
Saunders Park Rise
Lewes Road
Brighton BN2 4ES
(branch surgery of School House)
Telephone: 01273 684500
Islingword Road Surgery
79 Islingword Road
Brighton BN2 9SL
Telephone: 01273 681971
Lewes Road Surgery
188-9 Lewes Road
Brighton BN2 3LA
Telephone: 01273 603616
North Laine Surgery
12-14 Gloucester Street
Brighton BN1 4EW
Telephone: 01273 601112
Park Crescent Surgery
1 Lewes Road
Brighton BN2 3HP
Telephone: 01273 523623
Ship Street Surgery
65-67 Ship Street
Brighton BN1 1AE
Telephone: 01273 778622
Pavilion Surgery
2-3 Old Steine
Brighton BN1 1EJ
Telephone: 01273 685588
St Peters Medical Centre
30-36 Oxford Street
Brighton BN1 4LA
Telephone: 01273 606006
The Practice North Street
1st Floor Boots
129-132 North Street
Brighton BN1 2BE
Telephone: 01273 328080
The Practice Whitehawk
Wellsbourne Health Centre
179 Whitehawk Road
Brighton BN2 5FL
Telephone: 01273 310333
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