Boxford Surgery could close as consultation begins on plans to consolidate services at larger Hadleigh practice
A consultation is under way on proposals to merge a village GP surgery into a larger town practice, with more than 2,000 patients asked to give their views.
The Hadleigh Boxford Group Practice kicked off a six-week public engagement exercise on Monday, after confirming it plans to consolidate services at its Boxford branch into its more modern facility in Hadleigh.
Practice partners have stated that the majority of services are already provided in Hadleigh, with the number of appointments offered in Boxford decreasing over the years.
They also indicated that continuing to provide services at the Boxford branch would require a significant investment in order to update the ageing premises to meet the standard of a modern GP surgery.
Dr Iain Lyons, partner at Hadleigh Boxford Group Practice, said: “We currently offer a limited service at Boxford, with four basic GP sessions and two blood clinics each week.
“Our plan will mean that we will no longer offer GP consultations and blood tests from Boxford and the surgery building will cease as a venue for healthcare services.
“As a result, our patients will benefit from having access to a range of services provided within one building at our recently-renovated Hadleigh surgery.
“Such services include a dispensary and specialist clinics and, as more clinicians are available there, we would be able to offer patients a greater choice of appointments.
“We really do want to understand what impact this plan would have on local people, so we are inviting our patients to tell us so we can consider this carefully.”
As part of the consultation period, representatives from the practice will be on hand at Boxford Village Hall on Tuesday, October 1, from 10am to noon, to discuss the plans with residents.
A question-and-answer section and a feedback form is available online by going to www.hadleighhealth.co.uk.
Comments on the proposals can be submitted until Sunday, October 27.
