We the undersigned call upon NHS England and Basildon & Brentwood CCG to immediately cease any plans to force the closure of The Gore Surgery in Basildon, and commit to continuing to provide GP provision on the premises.

NHS England and Basildon & Brentwood CCG have commenced consultation with residents which could result in The Gore GP Surgery in Basildon closing down for good.

The contract held by South Essex Managed Care (SEMC) which currently operates the surgery is due to expire on 28 February 2018.  NHS England and Basildon and Brentwood CCG propose not to renew this contract and close the surgery, meaning that current users will need to register and move to already stretched surgeries elsewhere in the local area.

Basildon is undergoing a period of population growth and is expected to take at least an additional 16,000 new homes over the coming years.  A large development has recently been completed in close proximity to the surgery with many new residents registered users.  Permission has been given to convert the nearby Regents House in The Gore into 98 apartments but possibly 106 and Northgate House in the town centre into 87 apartments putting the area under further pressure.

We believe that a solution needs to be found to ensure appropriate facilities are provided for residents who use The Gore GP Surgery facilities either by expanding existing facilities to accommodate users of The Gore GP Surgery or providing new, fit for purpose facilities to replace the current Gore GP Surgery.  

In the interim the existing facilities should remain open and fully operational until such a time as an appropriate alternative is in place.