Minutes:
Mrs Hassoon referred to the Skerne Medical Practice Branch surgery at Fishburn and advised that no medical cover was being provided and patients were being diverted to Sedgefield.
Councillor Grant queried why the CCG had promised to retain the surgery, if medical services were not being provided and Mrs Hassoon also advised that she was aware that Nurses were not always available as there had been recent periods where people were having to travel to Sedgefield for bloodwork.
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer advised that the Practice Manager had advised that there would be no appointments across a 2 week period in February due to pre-planned leave and representations had been made to both the Practice Manager and DDES. The Primary Care Committee had rejected the application to close the surgery and confirmation was being sought to confirm that GP care would be continued. The explanation which had been received referred to a two week period when surgery was unable to be provided.
Members were concerned that this could happen in other areas and asked for more clarification on the operation at Fishburn.