Hundreds of Burnham-on-Crouch residents protest over GP surgery

By Sam Read and Helen BurchellBBC News, Essex

More than 200 people marched through a town to protest about the possible relocation of a central GP practice.

Some residents of Burnham-on-Crouch are angry about the potential move of The Burnham Surgery to the outskirts of the Essex town.

Campaigners at a packed-out public meeting in August argued the current location was "essential" and a move would impact people without transport.

The local NHS said there had been "no formal proposals" to move the surgery.

Residents were made aware of the potential move of the surgery from Foundry Lane when an email from the NHS was shared on social media.

It said "an appraisal of options to enhance primary care provision" had been carried out and concluded moving services to a new-build surgery at the Burnham Waters retirement development was "the best solution".

Many of those living in the town raised concerns at a meeting in the summer about the "lack of consultation" and accessibility issues if the surgery left the town centre.

Resident Ted Dennerley, 86, who relies on a mobility scooter, said it would be "getting on the verge of being dangerous" for him to get to the proposed new site.

Meanwhile, fellow protester Janet Coombes, 85, said she was marching "on behalf of other older people and people with babies, who haven't got cars".

If the move goes ahead, she said she "probably wouldn't go to the doctor" or might have to find a private service.

Lyn McHugh, 78, said her husband was "not a well person and people cannot travel... to a new surgery".

"We want our surgery to stay where it is, in the town - it's essential."

Rachel Evorall, spokesperson for Burnham SOS (Save Our Surgery) group, said the move would mean those without transport would be faced with a 50-minute walk, some of which was not paved.

"It just means lots of people won't be able to go to their GP, which will mean detrimental health outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in Burnham," she said.

"Our position is, until the ICB (Integrated Care Board), until the GPs says it's not going to happen, we're going to continue campaigning."

She said a public meeting in the summer and a petition had the support of "thousands" and was critical of the way the public had been kept informed.

A message on the surgery's website said, despite rumours, no decision has been made on moving the practice. It said the team was working with partners to explore a number of options and that they were committed to being transparent.

A spokesman for the NHS's Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: "Despite recent rumours, there are no formal proposals about relocating the Burnham Surgery."

The ICB said it was aware a range of options were being explored, but that the public would have to be involved before any formal decisions could be made.

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