Residents' anger at Pattingham surgery closure
The closure of a ‘lifeline’ village doctor’s surgery has caused anger and upset.
Pattingham surgery will be closing on February 16, with villagers expected to make the six-mile trip to Claverley for their healthcare instead or choose a different practice.
But residents are distraught, with many thrown into disarray over how they will attend appointments.
Yvette Poole, of Orchard Close, said the surgery was her lifeline as she suffered a range of complex medical conditions and was registered disabled.
The 47-year-old said: “To have to travel to Claverley is going to be a nightmare.
“I do drive but most days I have to take morphine which prevents me from doing so. A taxi really is the only option.
“There is no public transport to that surgery, it’s £9 return in a taxi.
“Sometimes I’ve had to go to the doctors more than twice in a week and if that ever happens it could end up costing £60 a week just to get there and back.”
A spokesperson for NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula Clinical Commissioning Group said it was working closely with Pattingham surgery to support it, saying: “All patients have been informed in writing and offered the choice of remaining with the Claverley Practice or given advice on registering with alternative practices in the area.”
But Ms Poole said she was unhappy at the suggestion she could change surgeries and claimed the public transport available was not up to scratch. “I don’t think they have thought of the impact this is going to have on the village,” she added.
Landlord of The Crown in Pattingham, Alan Newton, said: “I only moved here in July so it doesn’t really affect me, although I would have been joining that practice.
“I’ll have to go to Claverley. But there are a lot elderly people who come into the pub that use the practice – and they are upset.”
A message on the Claverley Surgery website stated the circumstances were entirely beyond their control.
It reads: “We will be providing all our general medical services.
“The surgery at Claverley is more equipped, has more services and has more staff offering a comprehensive service to patients.”
