Birtle View Medical Practice avoids closure

Patients and residents fill Birtle View Medical Practice for a meeting to object to proposed closure

Birtle View Medical Practice, in Heywood, which was recommended for closure, by NHS England (NHSE) and Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG), will not close.

Following overwhelming support from its patients during a public consultation period, NHSE and HMR CCG have announced the practice will be 're-procured'.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98665/%E2%80%98overwhelming%E2%80%99-response-to-proposed-closure-of-birtle-view-medical-practice

Paula Vanderpeer, head of primary care at GTD Healthcare, the organisation responsible for the management of the practice, said the decision is testament to all the hard work carried out by staff who provide an excellent service for their patients.

“Dispersing the practice’s list generated an overwhelming response and unprecedented support from patients,” she said.

Meanwhile, GTD Healthcare’s Kirkholt Medical Practice in Rochdale will be re-procured as per NHSE and HMR CCG’s original recommendation.

David Beckett, chief executive at GTD Healthcare, said he was delighted with both decisions.

“This is a great example of how patient voices can be very powerful and how patient feedback can really make a difference,” he said.

“I'm really pleased that commissioners have listened to their views in making their final decision.”

"However, it is important to note that Birtle View Medical Practice and Kirkholt Medical Practice operate under an Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract. APMS contracts are time limited and are reviewed at set intervals in line with the contract requirements and local needs. Therefore, it is likely that the contracts will be reviewed again in the future."