Burntwood doctor's surgery to close after attempts to save it fail
A doctor's surgery in Burntwood will close after a last ditch search for an alternative site in the town failed.
It was announced last month that Dr I Rasib & Partners' branch in Cannock Road could close due to it being in an outdated and inadequate building.
It caused concern among patients with more than 150 people turning up to a meeting with Dr Imran Rasib shortly after the announcement was made.
Now it has emerged the search for an alternative base has been made to no avail.
Burntwood North county councillor Sue Woodward said the news would come as a huge disappointment to some people.
She said: "I have been in ongoing discussions with the NHS over this.
"I've heard a few people say they are not happy that it is closing.
"Burntwood has been sold down the river. We were promised a new health centre but then last year it was axed. I'll continue to push for improvements.
"It's inevitable that it would close. The premises were completely inadequate.
"I've had reassurances from the NHS that extra resources will be provided in other doctor's surgeries in Burntwood."
The surgery has around 2,000 patients. Dr Rasib also works from the group's other practice at Cannock Hospital.
In a report to Lichfield District Council's community housing and health committee, which meets tomorrow, it states: "The Burntwood premises are in very poor condition. A surveyor who undertook a recent independent survey commented that 'the building is one of the poorest I have seen'.
"Since the patient engagement meeting Dr Rasib has looked into alternative accommodation but there was none available that met the standard of a healthcare facility.
"Options to build were considered too costly for such a small list size. In addition NHS England spoke to Staffordshire County Council as to the availability of a site but was informed that the only site that could potentially accommodate had been earmarked for development.
"Subsequently, Dr Rasib reaffirmed his decision to close the branch surgery."
NHS England will meet in April to discuss when the surgery will close. Dr Rasib was unavailable to comment.
