Storrington surgery to bring in portable cabins and take on 4,000 more patients

Specialised portable cabins are being installed to provide more clinical space at the Glebe - which already looks after 8,200 people.

The surgery in Monastery Lane is advertising for more staff including doctors, and has ordered new phone lines and computers in response to last week’s shock announcement neighbouring Mill Stream will close by the end of the month.

Dr David Whitehead, senior partner at Glebe, said: “We have got robust plans for coping with this unusual situation. We are confident of our abilities to take in the great majority of the 4,000 patients at Mill Stream.”

Just 24 hours after the news was broken exclusively by this newspaper, 1,000 new patients registered with Glebe.

Dr Whitehead said it has been ‘extremely busy’ and thanked his ‘magnificent’ staff - some of whom worked over the weekend.

Last week Nick Herbert, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said he would be open to discussions about a new premises for Glebe. The issue was raised during a visit to the surgery earlier this year.

Dr Whitehead continued: “For a long time we’ve been thinking Storrington needs a new medical centre. We’re very proud of the surgery here, but we’re aware that we would benefit from having a new and larger building with more facilities. I think the funding is very complex because of the shortage of public money. We are actively talking to people who may be willing to provide us with some finance.”

The partner added: “Patients have been very understanding and there’s a good community spirit. We want to provide them with high quality and safe care. We have no plans to close our list.”

Glebe will be open on Saturday May 17 to accept new patients.