Navenby GP surgery concerns continue

Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board had previously announced that the Cliff Villages Medical Practice on Grantham Road, Navenby would temporarily close, due to administrative reasons, when one partner at the practice left, re-opening on February 23, now operating under The Welby Group as contract providers for both Navenby and Waddington sites.

The ICB then confirmed that the dispensary at the practice would close in April due to national regulations, which set strict criteria on when a practice is allowed to dispense medicines. “Following the recent change to the practice’s contractual arrangements, the practice is no longer able to continue providing a dispensing service,” said the ICB.

Patients were advised to switch to the nearest pharmacy in the village or look further afield.

In an update to her electorate, local county and district councillor Marianne Overton reported: “The first advert for new GP's in March elicited nine applications. Four GP's were offered jobs, but none were fully secured. A further advert is out now for two months, ending August 31, with an interview this month.”

She said she had pressed the Integrated Care Board and the local practice manager on what actions are being taken to improve the attractiveness of the GP role at the practice to strengthen recruitment and retention. With a growing population and currently meeting the criteria for four GPs, she sought assurances that the service would continue.

In response the ICB felt the job adverts were proof enough of the efforts being made.

With regard to access to treatment, she also wanted to know whether the practice was providing timely GP appointments in line with national targets and with other local practices or whether patients were being redirected to the Waddington surgery.

The ICB referred Coun Overton to current NHS data.

She urged any GPs interested in joining the practice to get in touch at https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A3638-26-0012