Hundreds quizzed health bosses over plans to overhaul services at Parkside Practice in Eastleigh

More than 250 people quizzed health bosses at two consultation meetings revealing plans to overhaul services at Parkside Practice in Eastleigh.

As reported, the medical practice has struggled to recruit enough new doctors to cover shifts at its two surgeries in Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford – blaming a national recruitment crisis.

Bosses are preparing a last ditch bid to ease the pressure by forging a deal for a neighbouring North Baddesley Surgery to take on one of the surgeries and 2,700 of its 11,000 patients.

This has led to some elderly residents due to be transferred to the new surgery fearing the changes will leave them struggling to reach their doctor due to poor transport links.

Now health chiefs have pledged to take patients views on board as they launch a fresh call for people to have their say ahead of the consultation deadline.

Patients spoke to managers from both surgeries at two consultation meetings held at Knightwood Surgery and in the Velmore Centre in Chandler’s Ford.

At present Parkside patients can visit the surgery’s main base in Eastleigh Health Centre, Newtown Road, or the smaller Knightwood branch four miles away in Pilgrims Close, Chandler’s Ford.

Under the proposals, from April, Parkside would refuse to see patients from the SO52 and SO53 postcodes in North Baddesley and Chandler’s Ford respectively who would be restricted to attending Knightwood and North Baddesley Surgery.

This includes 200 people in the Velmore estate where people complain that public transport serves Eastleigh better than Knightwood.

But others stress the changes are needed to protect the surgery from closure.

Speaking at yesterday’s consultation in Velmore Cath Abraham, 84, from Devon Drive, Velmore, said: “My problem is transport getting to Knightwood. But until it takes place we don’t know whether it is going to be better or not.”

Parkside practice manager Judi Green stressed they are in talks with the CCG to discuss whether alternative transport can be arranged and added: “We want to see every one of our patients with a doctor they can access.

"The idea is to gather all the feedback so we can come up with a solution which solves the problem for everyone, not just the majority.”

North Baddesley Practice manager Lisa Wakeford said she will be recruiting extra staff needed to run the surgery due to its links as a GP training centre.

She said the move will allow “more choice” for her patients and those transferring over as extra services such as sexual health clinics and minor surgery will be set up.

Patients also have the opportunity to register with other surgeries in the area.

The changes at Parkside come as the NHS faces a severe GP shortage nationally with the number of surgeries closing more than trebling within two years leaving more than 200,000 patients without a GP.

Archers Practice, also housed in Eastleigh Health Centre, is unaffected by the plans and will continue operating as normal.

• Betty Sheppard, 83, from Dorset Road, Velmore, said: “There’s not much transport to Knightwood. I drive at the moment but very soon I am going to have to rely on buses.”

• Mahesh Nagpal, 48, from Knightwood, said: “If this doesn’t happen 11,000 patients will be left without a GP. There has to be a voice of sanity here and we have to look at the bigger picture. It’s a no brainer for me.

• Pam Nellthorpe, 77, from Belmont Road, Velmore, said: “The transport is my main issue. If they put some buses on I would happily go to Knightwood. Why can’t they have a surgery on this estate?”

• Adrian Evans, 71, from Allbrook, said: “Due to being in the SO50 postcode we won’t be able to go to Knightwood anymore and go to Parkside instead. It’s a shame because Knightwood is a very welcoming surgery and there’s a lot better parking.”