A GREEN by-election candidate has expressed concern at the closure of a GP surgery.

Although patients from St Luke’s Surgery in Saltdean will be supported by a different surgery in the same building, Libby Darling said there have already been concerns about access to appointments.

Ms Darling, a healthcare professional and the Green candidate in next month’s Rottingdean Coastal by-election, said that while it is “good news in practice” that people will be going to the same place, “residents will undoubtedly be questioning what care they will receive”.

She said: “Residents in Saltdean have already told me that they are finding it difficult to access GP appointments. 

“I am now concerned about the impact that this closure will have on the local community. In particular, I am concerned that vulnerable or elderly patients will be most affected.

“I am also frustrated by the lack of information available. The website displays little clear information on what the changes will be and a promised frequently asked questions section doesn’t appear visible. I hope that the practice makes things clearer, particularly for those less digitally savvy.

“After years of underfunding from our NHS from the Conservative government and the continued impact of the pandemic on service delivery, it is no wonder that residents are struggling to gain access.”

The GP surgery is set to close from June 1 and follows a number of mergers or closures in recent years, with Green councillor for Withdean Sarah Nield raising alarm at the closure of Matlock surgery in 2019.

Green activists and councillors have also been demanding more detailed information for residents of the city about how this latest GP closure will affect the capacity of primary care in Brighton and Hove and have called on the council and CCG to detail how it could affect access to a GP for local residents.

Ms Darling is one of six candidates running for election in the Rottingdean Coastal by-election on May 5.

The other candidates are; Lynda Hyde (Conservative), Robert Mcintosh (Labour), Stewart Stone (Liberal Democrats), Stephen White (independent) and Alison Wright (independent).