Hucknall's Ashfield Independent Councillors call for urgent intervention following GP surgery's appointment changes

Hucknall's Ashfield Independent Councillors have asked for urgent intervention from health bosses after a local doctor's surgery made changes to its urgent same day appointments.

Due to what it described as an 'unprecedented increase in demand' on its services, Torkard Hill Medical Centre on Farleys Lane announced that as of yesterday (Thursday 5 January), it would be allocating a set number of urgent, on the day appointments, each day.

These would be reserved for patients who feel that they need an urgent GP appointment, and once each one has been taken the Practice confirmed it would declare itself 'full' and that it would be unable to offer any more appointments for that day.

It is at this point, that it recommends that patients who are unable to get an appointment can contact NHS 111, visit a pharmacist, attend a walk-in centre, or in very urgent cases, attend A&E.

In response to what the Ashfield Independents termed 'signposting of residents to use other health services' local councillors Dave Shaw, Lee Waters, Nick Parvin, Trevor Locke, and John Wilmott have written a letter to health bosses asking for urgent action. 

They claim the instruction, posted on the practice's website leaves sick residents in '…limbo' given that Nottingham University Hospitals who run City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre declared a critical incident last month, which included asking residents to avoid A&E if possible. However, this was stood down today.

Councillor Lee Waters, an Ashfield Independent Councillor for Hucknall South said: "We have written to NHS bosses asking for urgent resources to be put in to assist Torkard Medical Practice. This means extra staff including doctors. Residents are being told to visit their A&E in the worst cases but told to avoid A&E by NHS bosses. They are being left in limbo and it's time the NHS stepped in."

Ashfield District Council is pushing for the creation of a new Super Health Centre called a 'Cavell Centre'. The Council has already committed £1.1million to the proposed new centre. Hucknall is one of six areas in England to be shortlisted. 

However, failure to agree on a suitable site has slowed the progress of this and it has been met with scepticism by some residents who feel it won't solve one of the major factors in the so called 'health crisis' Hucknall finds itself in which is a lack of staff.

Health campaigner, Councillor Dave Shaw who represents Hucknall West on Nottinghamshire County Council is demanding urgent action now. He claims that asking residents to use NHS 101 or present to A&E during a declared "critical incident" leaves residents in limbo.

Councillor Shaw said: "We have asked NHS bosses to step in. It's clear that Torkard Medical Practice cannot cope. Their doctors and staff do an excellent job but are under a huge amount of pressure. 

"Hucknall's Health Crisis pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst we are leading the fight for a new health centre – we need urgent action now. The problems at Torkard Hill Medical Centre are the reality facing our health services after 13 years of Conservative Government."

Councillors are now awaiting a reply from health bosses including the Integrated Care Board, responsible for commissioning services across Nottinghamshire.