Planned closure of Burton Medical Practice nears

Multiple residents have told BCP Council they want Burton Medical Practice to remain as a GP – despite its closure planned for next week.

They said the service was ‘invaluable’, and losing it would be ‘unfair for the ageing population’.

As reported, Christchurch Medical Practice (CMP) announced it would be closing its branch in Burton on August 30, seeing all services moved to its Orchard and Barn surgeries in Purewell.

Priory Veterinary Group shared plans to relocate to the site, and submitted a planning application to request that the building can be occupied by a veterinary clinic.

A decision is yet to be made on the application, which is expected to go to committee on August 29.

The proposals attracted hauls of objections from resident, who were evidently saddened over the loss of the medical practice.

Priory Veterinary Group currently operate from two linked houses in Purewell (Image: Google Maps)

One resident of Whitehayes Road said: “In the 40 years this GP surgery has served the village, the population of Burton has grown significantly and it's population aged.

"Now, more than ever, Burton (and Bransgore who are now without a surgery) needs to retain this service. The village does not need a veterinary practice.”

A resident of Medlar Close said having a doctor’s surgery in Burton was ‘invaluable’, adding: “We have a lot of elderly people in the village who rely on the surgery being there. It would be very sad to lose our surgery in the village.”

Another Burton resident, who has lived in the village since 1987, said: “It has become increasingly difficult to access Christchurch Medical Practice seemingly due to sheer volume of registered patients and the loss of Burton will only exacerbate this situation.”

Many objections refer to speculation that South Coast Medical Group had been refused the opportunity to take over the practice.

Dr Ni’man, senior partner at South Coast Medical Group, said in a letter to BCP Council in June: “I would like to let you know that we were happy to buy the Burton Surgery but the partners did not want to enter any negotiations.

"We are still happy to buy it and continue as a surgery for the local community. Our decision is supported by the local community.”

Referring to this, one resident from Brinsons Close said in their objection: "South Coast Medical group have expressed an interest and should be fully considered before any alternatives."

The Daily Echo approached CMP in June to ask whether it had received interest from South Coast Medical Group, and was told: “We want to make it clear that there has been no offer to buy the property from another GP practice, and the owners of the property are now going through usual processes to sell as a commercial property.”