Balcombe finds a prescription for hope in GP surgery decision

NHS Sussex have confirmed that the decision to close or keep open Balcombe’s GP Surgery has been pushed back by eight weeks. The decision was due to be made in late December, but won’t now be considered until mid-February. This is to allow NHS Sussex to consider the comprehensive information and feedback presented to them by local residents and the Parish Council.

The Parish Council said “We are very pleased that NHS Sussex has deferred a decision to be able to fully consider all the feedback received. There’s a great deal of concern in the village around the proposed closure and we are grateful that the decisioning-making body has recognised that, and are taking their time to fully understand the issues and problems closure would cause for local patients.”

In addition to a survey by the GP Practice, the Parish Council ran its own survey of residents which attracted around 600 responses. Drop-in sessions also gave residents the opportunity to ask questions and air their concerns.

“Many Residents are deeply worried about how they will get to appointments and collect prescriptions should the village surgery close. There is no direct public transport link between Balcombe and Handcross, where the main surgery is, and not everyone has a car or can drive. We have heard these similar concerns from many people – in fact, only three people said they were in favour of closure.”

Mitigation proposals have not yet been presented by the Practice and neither residents, the Parish Council or the Surgery’s own Patient Participation Group (PPG) know how their many concerns will be addressed in the event of closure. The Parish Council remains hopeful that NHS Sussex will ensure the population’s needs are provided for, whatever their decision. “We strongly believe however, that health outcomes are least likely to be compromised if our local surgery remains open.”