Fens Medical Centre in Hartlepool to close

Credit: PA

Following a consultation on health services in Hartlepool, Fens Medical Centre in the town is to close.

Hartlepool Council say they are now referring the decision to the Health Secretary.

There were three options during the public consultation:

  • One provider to service two sites (Fens and Wynyard Road practices)

  • One provider to service two sites (Hartfields and Wynyard Road practices)

  • One provider to service one site only (Wynyard Road practice)

The preferred choice was:

OPTION TWO

One provider to service two sites (Hartfields and Wynyard Road practices)

What happened to lead to this decision?

Each practice has a contract to deliver medical care to their registered patients.

These contracts have been extended several times, and cannot legally be extended further, they are now due to end on 31 March 2017.

In-line with NHS England policy entitled ‘Managing the end of time-limited contracts for primary medical services’, each contract for Fens, Hartfields and Wynyard Road practices has been reviewed.

What will happen now?

Patients currently registered at Fens Medical Centre, Hartfields Medical Practice and Wynyard Road Primary Care Centre will be notified of the decision and the CCG will work with patients to ensure they are fully aware of next steps and who to contact for further advice.

NHS Hartlepool and Stockton on Tees CCG have notified current providers of the decision and local practices have also been notified.