Outdated Burntwood doctor's surgery faces closure
A leading doctor at an under-threat surgery in Burntwood told a packed meeting of concerned patients he wants to remain based in the town.
Around 150 people attended the public meeting to voice their fears over the proposed closure of Dr I Rasib & Partners' branch in Cannock Road.
The surgery, which has around 3,000 patients, has been earmarked for closure due to outdated condition of the building.
At the meeting at Burntwood Library, Dr Imran Rasib, who also works from the group's other practice at Cannock Hospital, said he was keen to stay in Burntwood.
He said: "Essentially the problem here is the building, it is nothing to do with my time. There are several problems with it. It is not fit for what it is meant to be for.
"There is no current solution I can see to rectify that. Given the current situation my hand has been forced.
But he said: "I have always wanted to stay in Burntwood but what I want and what is possible are two separate things."
Representatives of NHS England who attended the meeting agreed about the outdated condition of the current building.
After pressure from the public they would be speaking with Staffordshire County Council over the possibility of trying to find alternative premises.
Other health centres and doctors in the area include the likes of Spires, Fulfen and Salters Meadow.
Dr Ken Deacon, medical director for NHS England in Shropshire and Staffordshire, said people would be able to register with other surgeries.
After being repeatedly asked by the public it was said NHS England will talk with the council over a possible relocation of the surgery.
Patients said they did not want to see the Cannock Road site close.
It would be the latest blow a multi-million pound plans for a new health centre in Burntwood were pulled by NHS bosses.
Grandfather-of-one Derek Snelling, aged 62, of Wilkinson Close, Burntwood, said: "It is going to affect all the patients and all the other surgeries.
"Going to Cannock is out the question for a lot of people. In my opinion a doctors should always be in walking distance of the patient.
"But 8,000 patients for a doctor is ridiculous, he needs more doctors."
Diane Stringer, 67, of Cranfield Road, said: "I think it is disgusting. It would be an inconvenience if we have got to move and go to a surgery we don't know. It is really unsettling."
Berni Wilkins, 63, of Ferndale Close, added she hoped another site would be found.
She said: "If the surgery closes it would be disastrous."
Councillor Eric Drinkwater said: "A lot of elderly people are not going to be able to go to Cannock. It is quite simple to me, Burntwood has been short changed for long enough."
