Petition Warns of Elderly Isolation from Ticehurst GP Surgery Closure

Opponents of the proposed closure of Ticehurst’s sole GP surgery have cautioned that it might result in the isolation of older patients. The Wadhurst Medical Group intends to close the facility in Ticehurst due to plans for a housing development at its current location in Newington Court. However, a petition advocating for the surgery’s retention, already endorsed by nearly 900 individuals, states that patients would need to journey up to seven miles for medical consultations. The Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust indicated that the surgery premises did not meet fire safety standards, whereas Rother District Council reported no active planning application existed for the location. The Wadhurst Medical Group informed Ticehurst patients via letter, stating: “Southern Housing is planning a major development of the site, to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area.” The group further communicated its choice to have “made the difficult decision to close the Ticehurst Surgery and permanently locate the services together on one site at Wadhurst Medical Centre” starting next spring. Jonathan Kent, a former BBC journalist and Green Party candidate for Bexhill and Battle, who initiated the petition, conveyed to Radio Sussex: “It’s going to cause real problems for local people if we lose the surgery.” He added: “I know GP surgeries are under huge financial pressures, so people are looking to cut costs.” Kent emphasized: “But having decent GP services is essential… it becomes a downward spiral if you lose GP services. People’s health declines and there’s more pressure on the NHS.” He also mentioned that certain elderly individuals would encounter difficulties reaching Wadhurst. The petition asserted that the closure would “put unmanageable pressure on Wadhurst surgery affecting people in all the surrounding villages.” The Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust stated: “Unfortunately, the Ticehurst surgery building is not fire safety compliant so we have had to consider how we can best deliver the much-needed care to our patients.” The trust added: “All appointments provided at Ticehurst will be reproduced at Wadhurst Medical Centre which is approximately three miles away and all staff will remain in post with no reduction in service.” They also noted: “We also plan to increase our GP capacity which will mean additional GP appointments will be available. Any of our patients who are housebound can request a home visit and this will continue to be the case.” The trust urged individuals to submit their opinions through an open survey. Connect with BBC Sussex via Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submit your story concepts to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or contact us on WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.