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Fears remain over plans to close a walk-in clinic at a village surgery, despite assurances from practice managers.
Around 80 residents turned up to a meeting last week after it was announced the service at Shorne Doctor’s Surgery - part of Downs Way Medical Practice - will be replaced by a pre-bookable appointment service from Monday, September 2.
Chairman of Shorne Parish Council, Bob Lane, also Gravesham borough councillor for Shorne, Cobham, and Luddesdown ward, said many feared their concerns were being ignored.
“They didn’t feel comforted at all,” he said.
“The surgery said there would be no change to the number of appointments. They couldn’t see a problem but I have to say most people there could see a problem.
“The practice manager said there would be no extra staff to answer the phone - that didn’t make people feel very happy. They said people could book on the computer the night before but some older people don’t use computers and felt by the time they phoned in the morning all the appointments would be gone.”
A statement from the surgery said there were “no plans to reduce the service available each morning for registered patients to see a GP”, and the only change would be that “patients will no longer have to sit and wait to see a GP”.
They said people can use a “same- day appointment service” by calling reception from 8.30am or booking online, and that 11,000 of 13,600 already use the appointment system.
The surgery added: “This change brings Shorne Village Surgery into line with local and national services and allows for innovative improvements such as online booking.”
