During Covid it has seemed easier for Lake Road Surgery and John Pounds Surgery to merge to Lake Road Surgery however after many unsuccessful attempts since lockdown has eased they will not open it back up. 

John Pounds Surgery helps the residents of Portsea which is known for being full of the elderly as well as a nice family community with there being 5+ parks in the area. A lot of elderly are immobilised and a lot of children being taken out of school for longer than necessary due to having to travel to a different doctors surgery. Instead of a 5 minute walk around the corner it is now a 31 minute walk (Apple Maps) which equals to £10 (£5 each way) in taxis. As many know there is a taxi shortage in Portsmouth currently which will cause people to miss appointments therefore costing the NHS more money. Many people have to go to the surgery due to mental health issues which stops them from using public transport (Social Anxiety). 

From a personal experience, my grandparents live in Portsea and struggle immensely to travel constantly to Lake Road surgery and are not technically trained to be able to send photos through their phones or do e-consoles. If it is raining this means struggling to get a taxi as they cannot go up in their mobility scooters. It is not only unsafe but also impractical. I myself have to visit the doctors surgery a lot and having to spend money I do not have on travelling to a different doctor surgery. Especially when broken bones are involved and you cannot walk to the doctors. When you are needed to be seen you do not have a choice but to go. 

We just want our local GP surgery back. From the excuses we have been provided regarding why they aren’t reopening it are appalling and there is no reason why it cannot open again, they just do not want to open it again and they have stated themselves that this is down to money. With an already struggling A&E we should be focusing on bettering our standard of health care and not causing people to feel like they cannot go to their doctors if they are in need.

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