Controversial plans to close the Rayleigh Road surgery and relocate patients to clinics in Kent Elms and Belfairs have sparked outcry from residents and councillors in the area, who fear older and less mobile residents will be unable to access the care they need.
Now, Labour’s Southend West and Leigh MP David Burton Sampson has also raised concerns, demanding an urgent meeting with NHS bosses to discuss his concerns.
Southend West MP, David Burton-Sampson is demanding urgent meetings with bosses (Image: David Burton-Sampson)In a statement, the Labour MP said: “I have been made aware that a consultation has now been launched into the potential closure of the Rayleigh Road Doctors Surgery, which is part of the Eastwood Practice Group.
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“I have requested an urgent meeting with the practice management team to discuss this matter. I have also contacted the Mid and South Essex ICB to express my initial concern regarding this potential closure.
“I will be working closely with Eastwood local councillors to ensure the right outcome is reached for patients.”
The surgery has been serving Eastwood residents for more than 60 years (Image: George Pizani)
Mr Burton-Sampson also urged his constituents to respond to Eastwood Group Practice’s consultation as soon as possible.
On Wednesday, Eastwood’s Liberal Democrat councillors also penned an open letter to the practice’s bosses.
In the letter, councillors Paul Collins, Robert McMullan and Dave Poulton, all representing the Eastwood Park Ward, claimed the proposed closure of the surgery would impact residents’ ability to access care and add pressure to the practice’s other surgeries.
Councillors Paul Collins, Robert McMullan and Dave Poulton penned an open letter to the practice (Image: Paul Collins)Mr Collins told the Echo that he is yet to meet a single resident who thinks closing the surgery would be a good idea.
Speaking on Wednesday, he said: “Eastwood’s age profile is significantly older than the Southend average and these residents need to be looked after. Many of these older residents simply won’t be able to make the journey to the practice’s other locations if the closure goes ahead.”
Eastwood Group Practice’s online consultation claims the closure would allow for better use of resources at its other surgeries.
The consultation was initially launched in April 2024 before being postponed until after the local and national elections.