THE permanent closure of a doctor’s surgery in Burton would be 'harmful' to the community, warn elected leaders.
Christchurch Medical Practice’s (CMP) proposal to close the branch in Salisbury Road next year has been quick to face backlash.
The town’s MP Sir Christopher Chope already plans to write to NHS Dorset to express his concerns.
He told the Daily Echo: “It would be a loss of service to patients. If you live in Burton, or in the surrounding area, you’ve got a post office, a newsagent, a general store, and you will have had a surgery.
“I don’t understand why they can’t keep the Burton practice going.”
CMP currently has four surgeries – Burton which has 3,682 registered patients, Bransgore which has 1,564 patients, and the Orchard and Barn surgeries in Purewell care for a total of 12,104 people.
The planned closure was announced as part of a merger project, which would see the Bransgore and Burton branches closed, and all services moved to the Orchard and Barn surgeries in Purewell.
CMP said it has decided to close the Bransgore branch at the end of January 2024, and has ‘plans to close’ the Burton branch in April 2024, although discussions are ongoing.
Sir Christopher said: “My concern is about the Burton practice. I can’t understand why if you’re going to reduce to two practices, why there can’t be one in Burton and one in Purewell.
“If you did that, then most of the concerns would be resolved. That’s what I believe should happen.”
He added that he’d “certainly support” a campaign to keep the Burton surgery open, and encouraged patients and residents to contact him or NHS Dorset to express their concerns.
Burton and Grange ward councillor Simon McCormack said the planned closure of the Burton branch was “very disappointing”.
He told the Daily Echo: “It’s quite a popular surgery, and I think closing it will harm access to some of the more vulnerable people in that rural area.
“They’ll have to travel further, and I know it doesn’t seem like a long distance, but for those that don’t drive and live in the village, having Burton is really convenient for them.
“I think it's really bad timing as well, to announce it the week before Christmas. Most companies or organisations would wait.
“As far as I’m aware it’s come as a shock to most people - nobody really knew.”
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