dulwich primary care centre is closing DR Sarma's practice

[Penguin68]

I expect that the contract is 'automatically' renewable - but with Dr Sarma alone - as long as he remains in good standing with the GMC (not suspended or struck-of) and continues to have the appropriate practice insurance - by taking on a 'partner' if planning to retire the existing contract can then be passed to the partner - but if he goes without a partner being appointed then the contract will lapse.

This presumably is what is happening here. There are numbers of salaried GPs who would wish to move to being a partner - I am somewhat surprised one could not be found who would want to take over this practice, although single practice (which often means little or no holiday) may not be that attractive - and I do not know, of course, what other fiscal arrangements are (i.e. rental of surgery premises) which might also not be attractive - it might be that the premises would not even be available after Dr Sarma leaves.

[Bic Basher]

This is how 306 Medical Centre is able to still practice after Dr Dewji brought in Dr Chowdhury as a junior partner a couple of years back by having a PMS contract. He of course retired.

Out of interest, here are the patient figures for the surgeries 1.2 miles away from Dr Sarma's practice.

Melbourne Grove - 6777

DMC - Crystal Palace Road - 11,852 (Shared with Chadwick Road)

The Hambleden Clinic - 3601

306 Medical Centre - 2701

The Gardens - 6916

DMC Chadwick Road - 11,852 (Shared with Crystal Palace Road)

Sternhall Lane Surgery - 4569

Herne Hill Group Practice - 10,337

Lordship Lane Surgery - 4107

Elm Lodge Surgery - 7458

Forest Hill Group Practice - 12,662

Herne Hill Road Medical Practice - 5470

The Corner Surgery - 5411

The Nunhead Surgery - 7666

St Giles Surgery (Dr Patel) - 5959

St Giles Surgery (Dr Virji) - 4505

Lister Primary Care Centre (Dr Hossain) - 5165

Hurley Group Practice at the Lister (Walk in clinic) - 5498

Lister Primary Care Centre (Dr Arumugaraasah) - 5813

Brockwell Park Surgery - 6131

Camberwell Green Surgery - 10,014

With the excepting of the DMC group surgeries, Forest Hill Group Practice and Camberwell Green, there appears to be capacity at most in the 1.2 mile area at other practices, although The Gardens has shrunk it's practice area in agreement with NHS England.

[LittleLad]

It would seem that we are shooting the messengers, NHS England. Dr Sarma may have had the option to bring in a partner before retiring and exercised that option we would not be here today. Dr Sarma being a single handed GP would be the sole proprieter/contract holder. Dr Peter Marks may not be a partner(he could be a salaried GP?) so may not be able to continue the practice.

As pointed out in the earlier thread NHS England has no control over contractors and if a decision by him was made there was nothing further they could do but consult the local medical committee which they must have, to reach the decision on the future. As I understand Dr Sarma should have had conversations with NHS England about his plans and GP contracts require 6 months notice to be released from the contract but a birdy tells me that he asked to be released earlier, possibly by end of July.

In light of Dr Sarma's dwindling list, it would seem that they may have decided to offer patients a choice to register at any of the neighbouring practices, thus letting the patients decide where they want to go as opposed to being placed with another practice (MGGP etc) who they may not necessarily be happy with. Clearly there are good practices in the locality and one can choose from NHS Choices, based on reviews.(http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/se22-8pt/Results/4/-0.0812201276421547/51.4590759277344/4/0?distance=25)

I believe that all patients would get a letter about 6 weeks before closure advising them of their options, that is if they have not already received one. This is usually the case when a GP retires or dies or for any other major contractual change such as re location..

Also one needs to consider if anyone would have wanted to take the practice over in light of the overheads (Maybe a FOI request could be made to find out the overheads of Dulwich Hospital) and would it have been cost effective and economically viable for a small practice to continue on the site.

[lameduck]

Hi All

just recieved email survey about doctors accessability

from Valerie Shawcross from the London Assembly

have just filled in survey and complained about our situation.

please look at link and fill in survey

you havent got to sign it

although I have

do not forget to mention name and address of doctor

so she knows who its about

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/85QWH7L

miss duck

[KalamityKel]

Letters of confirmation from NHS are landing on doorsteps today.

Ours just came through the letterbox. Great timing - dated the 17th arrives on a Friday when many won't open until this evening and then will likely be worrying over the weekend with no "support" available.

Nice

[lameduck]

Hi All

just recieved my letters of closure.

To Update Harriet Harman has written to Dr Sarma

expects a reply within 4 weeks,

but she has asked in this case, for an urgent response.

still nought from tessa and james

miss duck

[maxxi]

No letter here yet. Can't see what Dr Sarma can say to HH bearing in mind what NHS England have said.

[LittleLad]

KalamityKel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Letters of confirmation from NHS are landing on doorsteps today.Ours just came through the letterbox. Great timing - dated the 17th arrives on a Friday when many won't open until this evening and then will likely be worrying over the weekend with no "support" available.

> Nice

Practices now have online registration facilities. The two suggested by Bic Basher with decent reviews on NHS Choices, Hambleden Clinic (http://www.hambledenclinic.co.uk/new_patients_p7433.html?) at Denmark Hill and 306 Medical Centre(http://www.306medicalcentre.nhs.uk/new-patients.aspx?t=2) on Lordship Lane, both have online registration facilities. Thanks Bic for pointing us in the right direction,'306 has an online address checker which shows if your postcode is covered, all of SE22 is covered/part of SE5.... '

So calamity averted, Kel, as you can register online at any time from the comfort of your home and no need to feel unsupported, as you are only a few clicks away from finding a new practice. I have done exactly that.

[KalamityKel]

I appreciate your thoughts however, not everyone has computer access or is computer savvy. The letter sent does not advise of any "online registration" facility so the issue still remains.

I'm not concerned for myself - merely pointing out the unhelpfulness (yet typical) and unsupportive attitude being demonstrated.

Not everyone likes change and indeed find embracing any change a challenge.

[lameduck]

I agree with Kalamity

I an a computer thickie

I will be trogging about filling in forms,

Yes I have seen one !

what medications etc, Who will want an old duck on their lists

who needs lots if medication, and who the hell do you go to

[Bic Basher]

I registered with 306 online just under a year ago and was relatively easy. They'll give you a call back to confirm an appointment to see a nurse for a medical check and to bring ID etc as you would when registering in person.

[lameduck]

Dear Ms Duck

Thank you for your email. Tessa has asked me to get back to you.

Tessa was made aware of this recently and is making enquiries with NHS England and awaiting their response.

More broadly, Tessa is taking a keen and active interest in the future of the Dulwich Hospital site as a whole and is waiting for a further reply from Education Secretary Michael Gove in respect of the future education component of the site. I have pasted below links to that correspondence which might be of interest.

http://tessajowell.net/uploads/0061f23d-637b-d7c4-1512-ae391b392af2.pdf

and

http://www.tessajowell.net/uploads/f00a48ee-7141-f7f4-994c-6433c2027fb9.pdf

We will, of course, pass on any news.

With best wishes,

Andy Coates

Parliamentary Assistant to Rt. Hon. Dame Tessa Jowell MP

Visit Tessa's website at www.tessajowell.net, follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TessaJowell or on Twitter @jowellt

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Sent: 12 June 2014 13:15

To: JOWELL, Tessa

Subject: help save our surgery

Dear ms jowell

my name is Julie Duck

I am a patient of the east dulwich primary care surgery { Dr Sarma]

attached to dulwich hospital,

to my horror have been told surgery is shutting on the 31st july 2014

there is no replacement doctor.

Dr Sarma took over this surgery from Dr Slovick

some 25 years ago, this is a good practice with hundreds if not 1000s of patients.

Is there any thing that can be done?. There is another doctor there a Dr Marks.

It would be a shame to lose this practice, it provides an excellent service.

Dr Sarma is entitled to retire if he so wishes, but could not this practice be

turned over to another doctor, just like dr Slovick turned it over to Dr Sarma

kind regards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Tigres Pride]

Please see other posting in this section re a demonstration being held on Saturday 28th June at 10am outside the Surgery at East Dulwich Hospital.

[Tigres Pride]

Our thanks to the dozen or so that turned up in the pouring rain, together with the reporter, to show their opposition to the closure.

[sarahemjones]

Just had a flier through my door today..... new secondary school on the old East Dulwich Hospital site. That's 2 new schools in the area, what with a primary school coming to the old police station site.

[Jeremy]

Also a new primary on Bellenden Road (arguably not "in the area", I know)

[first mate]

There does needto be a balance in use of resources. Currently it seems every available scrap of land is being made into a school while health facilities are shaved and we have no local police station. Schools are naturally a top concern for our growing population of young, professional parents and accordingly heavily pushed by local vote-hungry politicians. How it will pan out long term is worrying.