GP surgery in Clapton to close permanently – leaving top medics ‘disappointed’

Hackney’s top medics have voiced their “disappointment” at the impending closure of a GP practice in one of the borough’s most deprived areas.

Sorsby Medical Practice is to shut for good at the end of June, after finding that the amount of money and work needed to prevent it running at a loss was simply too much.

The practice, which was rated ‘Good’ across the board at its last inspection by the Care Quality Commission in October 2017, is understood to be in a poor state of repair, as well as struggling with a loss of nursing staff.

Dr Mark Rickets, chair of City and Hackney clinical commissioning group (CCG), said: “Unfortunately, despite best efforts and much careful consideration, Clapton’s Sorsby Medical practice will be permanently closed from 30 June 2019 due to the end of the provider contract.

“We are working closely with NHS England to ensure that any impact on local residents is kept to an absolute minimum.

“We have written to all affected patients this week to provide reassurance and supportive information and two face-to-face events have been arranged for concerned patients to speak to NHS staff at the practice.”

Cllr Ben Hayhurst said that councillors were “concerned” as King’s Park is not well connected, an area that has historically struggled with transport cuts.

The practice is located in the most deprived tenth of areas in England, and has the third highest proportion of patients in Hackney & City of London.

At a 12 March meeting of the Health in Hackney scrutiny commission, Dr Rickets said that the CCG was “really disappointed” at the practice closing, but went on to reassure councillors that a number of other practices in the borough are available, and that similar closures would not be forthcoming.

Sorsby patients will now be encouraged to register with one of seven nearby GP practices that are accepting new patients, and located within a mile of Sorsby, before 30 June 2019.

Patient medical records will then be transferred to the new practice from Sorsby, whilst vulnerable patients will also be supported to register with a new GP practice.

Patients can continue to use the Sorsby practice until 30 June and will be automatically registered with a nearby practice if they do not self-register beforehand.