WORCESTER Liberal Democrats have raised the alarm over the planned closure of Farrier House GP surgery in the city centre.
So far a petition organised by the party opposing the closure has attracted close to 200 signatures.
Local Lib Dems say they are also consulting with health experts explore to explore options for saving the practice.
City Councillor Jessie Jagger (Lib Dems, Claines) a patient of the practice, said: “We spoke to a member of the House of Lords and some independent health care experts to explore options we could push for.
“We also met with Simon Trickett, the chief executive of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the area and his team.
“We arrived armed with research and options but unfortunately, it became clear ICB staff had already exhausted most of these avenues. It also became apparent that long-term work is needed to prevent other practices from suffering a similar fate.”
The Lib Dem team has also reached out to Three Counties Medical School at the University of Worcester – which is already doing a great deal to address these issues – and because of the LibDem action, new ideas have emerged and the ICB has promised to work with the university to explore these.
Mel Allcott, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the city, said: “Flaws in the funding formula, particularly in Worcester, have placed undue stress on GP practices.
“GP funding allocations are based on assumptions that don’t always align with the needs of our community or keep up with changes in demand, making challenging for practices to remain attractive and sustainable.”
Lib Dem research has revealed patients can wait at least four weeks to see a GP.
Party leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Millions of people are being left anxious or waiting in pain because they can’t get an appointment with their GP.”
