Patients' fears over GP practice

PATIENTS are worried that they may not be properly consulted over the future of the Appleton Primary Care GP practice.
Residents attended a meeting of Appleton Parish Council to express their fears following the distribution of a circular letter by Warrington Primary Care Trust on proposals for the practice.
One resident told the council the letter stated that the PCT would be contacting all patients in the near future to “advise of the future plans.”
The resident said: “This doesn’t sound much like a consultation. It sounds more as if they intend to tell us what they are going to do.”
Rumours have been circulating for some time that the practice is to either close or be moved to a new location.
But the letter, from PCT head of primary care commission Mark Beesley, stresses there are no plans to close or relocate the practice.
In the past, the PCT has provided the service at Dudlow Green Road, but now it has decided to put the practice out to tender – which is what happens at most other GP practices across the borough.
Mr Beesley adds: “When tendering the practice we will aim to ensure that the service specification against which bidders will make their applications reflects the high standards of care currently offered.”
He says the PCT hopes to commission an expanded service with an additional GP and associated workforce to accommodate more patients.