Anger as Eagle Way Surgery to shut due to ‘GPs’ workloads’

Eagle Way Surgery, in Eagle Way, Shoebury will close on New Year’s Eve - leaving 2231 patients to find a new GP.

A letter from Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, seen by the Echo, blames the closure on the workload of running more than one surgery.

Residents have criticised health bosses for the decision branding it “crazy”, especially during a pandemic.

Shoebury Residents’ Association has been fighting for a new surgery for ten years.

Vice chairman Peter Lovett, 74, said: “It’s just crazy.

We’ve been trying to force the clinical commissioning group and NHS to give us a health clinic for ten years.

“We were told they were building one but it never happened. Lots of Shoebury residents go to a doctors in Rochford but with all the new homes being built there they will have to come back to Shoebury.

“We are extremely worried about it - they can’t just shut a doctors and expect people to go elsewhere.

“It will deteriorate the existing services. It’s not a good time to shut a surgery and it’s ridiculous in the middle of a pandemic.

“There seems to be no logic for anything.”

Nearby surgeries include North Shoebury Surgery, Dr N Kumar and Partner, Shoebury Health Centre and Shoebury Health Centre.

Bosses say all patients currently registered at Eagle Way Surgery will receive a letter explaining how they can register with another GP practice.

It will also give details of where patients will be able to find out more about how to register with their chosen practice.

Tricia D’Orsi, NHS Alliance director for Castle Point and Rochford and Southend Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “Eagle Way Surgery has after nearly 34 years of providing GP services to the local community decided to close the surgery.

“NHS Southend Clinical Commissioning Group is working hard to minimise any disruption this may cause patients. I would like to reassure people that no one will be left without a GP surgery as a result of these changes”.