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Villagers are in uproar after finding out their only doctors’ surgery could be closed down.
A petition has been set up to object to Highparks Medical Practice’s decision to axe its Higham site due to financial pressures.
Lead campaigner Charlotte Angell said the news came as a shock to patients who found out about it via text message last Thursday (January 23).
The medical practice group said it was becoming “financially unsustainable” to operate its four sites, in Cliffe Woods, Cliffe, Higham and Wainscott, due to running costs and maintenance of the buildings.
Following an independent assessment and 18 months of discussions, it decided closing the Higham surgery would have the least impact on patients and is now making a formal application to shut the branch.
A statement published online added: “The practice emphasises that this is a difficult decision, and we want to assure patients that we are committed to providing safe, high-quality care throughout this transition.
“We hope you can understand the reasons for this announcement and can appreciate why this difficult decision has been made.”
The practice has 2,831 registered patients on its books with a Higham postcode.
Charlotte, of Reynolds Fields, Higham, has since started a petition to object to the proposed closure and highlight the villagers’ frustrations.
She said: “Something needs to be done to try and stop it. We have 10 weeks to try and change their minds.
“The main concern is getting to the other surgeries as there is no public transport. There are people who can only get to the one in Higham because they can walk there.
“If it does go ahead, how are people going to get to Cliffe Woods? Those who cannot get to the surgeries will not bother booking appointments.
“I also do not know what will happen to the chemist either if it goes.
“If it does not get patients coming from the doctors, is it going to survive or will we lose that as well?”
The 33-year-old also raised concerns over the number of people who will now need to be relocated at Highparks’ other sites, especially with plans to build hundreds of new homes in the area.
She added: “They will be over subscribed with an extra 4,000 residents going to surgeries in Cliffe, Cliffe Woods and Wainscott.
“Shorne will also have applications from people to change practices which will not cope.”
At the time of writing, more than 490 people had signed the petition calling for the surgery, in Hermitage Road, to remain open.
Residents are also looking to deliver thousands of leaflets to homes across the area calling for people to support their campaign.
Writing in support, Alex Nash said: “A surgery in Higham is crucial for those that do not have the means of travel to other surgeries in the area, in particular older people who often require the surgery's services more frequently.
“This would be fine if the public transport to other surgeries was adequate, but alas it is not.”
Sara Lamprell added: “This is an essential GP practice for a large and ever-growing village population with more homes coming. Cutting services and closing this is ludicrous.”
And it is not only residents who have opposed the proposed closure, but politicians who have branded it “devastating” for the area.
Speaking on behalf of the ward councillors for Higham and Shorne, Cllr Jordan Meade, said they were working to voice residents’ concerns to the appropriate bodies.
He added: “We will continue to work together in standing up for the importance if retaining GP facilities within the village. If this proposed closure is allowed to go ahead it will have a devastating affect on our village.”
Gravesham’s MP, Lauren Sullivan, also confirmed she will be raising the issue in parliament and with the secretary of state for health.
In a statement shared online, she added: “I will do my utmost to fight for this and disagree profoundly with placing or re-locating such services away from local communities which depend on them.
“None of our rural communities should be left cut-off or isolated from essential services. The long-standing surgery in Higham is one of those services.
“I know that it is no substitution to expect patients to make their way to one of the sister surgeries, given the patchy local bus service provision, expense, and fact that there are so many Higham residents who have lived here all their life and depend on having a local surgery within walking distance.”
Highparks is asking patients to take part in a survey to share how the proposed closure might affect them. You can find it here.
The nearest practice to Higham is Highparks’ main site at Cliffe Woods which is 1.9 miles away.