Sutton Surgery closure: Three meetings planned in three days

Both in-person and online meetings, organised by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System [ICS], have been planned within a three-day period next week. 

The events have been organised after the Fenland Group Practice [FGP] announced it would be closing Priors Field Surgery in Sutton on March 31, leaving councillors and residents in shock. 

Councillor Lorna Dupre, who represents Sutton at district and county council, said a mix of physical and virtual meetings is a wise move. 

“I think it’s important to try and give as many people as possible the maximum opportunity to attend and join in,” said Cllr Dupre. 

“I know people who are very keen to have an in-person meeting in the evening, and I’m trying to persuade ICS that would a good idea.” 

Cllr Lorna Dupre is planning to attend public meetings over the closure of Priors Field Surgery in Sutton. (Image: Cllr Lorna Dupre)

On Tuesday, March 7 from 10-11am, a meeting is due to take place at the Brooklands Village Hall, The Brook, Sutton, CB6 2QQ. 

This is followed by an online meeting on Microsoft Teams between 6pm-7pm the same day, with a link to this meeting due to be provided on the FGP website.

A member of the ICS is due to attend both meetings, while Cllr Dupre said she intends to be present at both events on March 7. 

And a third meeting on March 9, planned to be in person, is booked for 6.30-7.30pm at Sutton CoE (VC) Primary School, The Brook, Sutton, CB6 2PU.

Those wishing to attend can turn up on the day or join online.

Since the closure was announced, Cllr Dupre and fellow Sutton councillor Mark Inskip wrote to health secretary Steve Barclay MP, calling for him to attend the public meetings. 

It is unclear if Mr Barclay is aiming to attend any of these meetings. 

Positive discussions have been reported with Dr Gary Howsam, of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System, since the closure announcement. (Image: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICS)

Earlier this week, members of the Priors Field Patient Participation Group [PPG] met with Dr Gary Howsam, interim chief clinical improvement officer at the ICS, to discuss the closure situation. 

READ MORE: District council leader weighs in on Sutton Surgery closure

Cllr Dupre, one member of the PPG, was encouraged by the meeting with Dr Howsam. 

“I believe they [the ICS] are now looking at what they can do to ensure there is something in the village by way of primary care,” Cllr Dupre said. 

“One of the things the NHS wants from the meetings is to gather the views of residents and what they most value in primary care that residents want to see protected and replaced in Sutton.” 

Previously, the PPG were told by the surgery that FGP advised NHS England in November that it would not be renewing its contract with them.   

FGP have said patients will receive a letter confirming which GP practice they have been transferred to. 

A petition set up to save Priors Field Surgery from closure has secured more than 2,000 signatures.   

What do you think to the closure? How will this affect you? Let us know - email: daniel.mason2@newsquest.co.uk.