Proposals to close down village medical surgery

It was temporarily closed in March after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic because it does not have the space to implement social distancing.

Since then, GP services for patients registered at Woolsthorpe have been provided from The Stackyard Surgery at Croxton Kerrial, which is also part of The Vale Medical Group’s family of surgeries.

The Vale, which also operates Long Clawson Medical Practice, is now proposing to make the Woolsthorpe closure permanent.

Dr Philip Rathbone, of The Vale Medical Group, said: “The size and layout of the Woolsthorpe Surgery, especially the reception and waiting area, is very small, meaning we cannot implement social distancing.

“We need to bear in mind that Covid-19 appears to be something that will be with us for the long-term and we cannot accommodate patients safely whilst ensuring social distancing.

“In addition, the car park at the Woolsthorpe Surgery has recently been declared unsafe by the local council, and, whilst patients and staff have previously used it, from a health and safety perspective we do not feel that we should ask anyone to use it in the future.”

Patients can go online to www.valemedicalgroup.co.uk to share their views on the proposals or request a paper copy.

The Vale group is also proposing to move The Stackyard Surgery to the East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG, which would allow access to new services such as x-ray.