THE office of local MP, Michelle Donelan, has reported that the politician has been ‘deeply comforted’ by the response of Melksham’s two remaining GP surgeries, in the wake of the announcement of St Damian’s closure.
The MP’s office reports, “Michelle Donelan MP has been in constant contact with Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group since the threat of the closure of St Damian’s first materialised last year and has previously spoken out strongly against this course of action. The announcement has now been made, earlier this month, that the practice will close and Michelle is aware that there has understandably been concern among constituents.
“Earlier this week Michelle visited the partners and management teams of Spa Medical Centre and Giffords Surgery to discuss the loss of one of the surgeries from this primary care network and was deeply comforted by their response. Both surgeries have opened their books to new patients and there is more than enough capacity to accommodate the patients from St Damian’s.
“The partners were also able to discuss other more wide-ranging concerns with Michelle about future proofing the ability for the surgeries to offer the standard for care expected of their patients and Michelle has written to Matt Hancock on the subject.”
Michelle Donelan MP said, “I was very grateful to the doctors of both surgeries for taking the time to meet with me. Provision of health care is an issue that comes up frequently in my discussions with constituents and I was encouraged to hear that there will be no short fall in delivering the care required for the residents of Melksham.
“We are to welcome new residents into the town in the coming months and years and I am committed to making sure everyone can access the care and medical treatment they need. I am particularly concerned about access to provision with any additional housing development and this is something that I shall address with the CCG and the Secretary of State for Health.”