Desperate sufferers going through 40-mile spherical GP journey plead for brand new physician
- NHS sufferers in Lynton and Lynmouth, Devon could have no native physician by May
- Are YOU going through an extended journey to see a GP? Email [email protected]
More than 2,000 determined sufferers, who face a 40-mile spherical journey to their GP when their native surgical procedure closes in a matter of weeks, have launched a social media marketing campaign to seek out their new physician.
The supplier of the NHS surgical procedure in Lynton and Lynmouth, Devon is pulling out on the finish of April, leaving residents with no GP.
The nearest alternate options are in Barnstaple, which is 20 miles away, that means sufferers might want to make a hefty journey every time they see a health care provider.
Now locals are pleading for his or her ‘personal Doc Martin’ to return to their rescue and step into the void.
Symphony Healthcare Services have been operating the Lyn Health surgical procedure for 2 and a half years however the firm has been plagued lately by difficulties in recruiting scientific employees and discovering a brand new supplier to run the service.
More than 2,000 determined sufferers in Lynton and Lynmouth have launched a social media marketing campaign (pictured) to seek out their new physician earlier than their GP closes down on the finish of April
The nearest alternate options are in Barnstaple, which is 20 miles away, that means sufferers might want to make a hefty journey every time they see a health care provider
As a end result they don’t seem to be planning to increase their contract for the surgical procedure, which has a minor damage unit, two GPs and serves round 2,500 sufferers.
NHS Devon has stated that it’s on the lookout for an acceptable various to the departing supplier – however makes an attempt to recruit a brand new lead-GP for the realm have to this point fallen flat.
The position was marketed in December however, based on native councillor and affected person Andrea Davis, there was little interest in the very important place.
Residents have since taken issues into their very own palms and are hoping their marketing campaign to discover a new physician goes viral, after Lyn Health’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) gave the them the inexperienced gentle to promote for the job themselves.
PPG member Astra Fletcher stated: ‘We’re hoping that is going to go viral and go proper spherical England, the world and both our personal Doc Martin or Martina will see it and are available and see what a good looking a part of the nation we’re in and take us on.’
And the resourceful sufferers are attempting to lure their new lead-GP in by promoting them the dream of an idyllic life in stunning Devon.
Ms Davis stated: ‘There have to be a GP on the market who desires a brand new life in essentially the most stunning environment; Lynton, Lynmouth, Exmoor National Park, north Devon.
‘Someone who loves browsing, strolling, nature.
Symphony Healthcare Services have been operating the Lyn Health surgical procedure (pictured) for 2 and a half years however the firm has been plagued lately by difficulties in recruiting scientific employees and discovering a brand new supplier to run the service
‘Someone who desires to make a distinction in a small group with a well-established pleasant workforce.’
This isn’t the primary time bereft sufferers have thought outdoors the field to save lots of their GP.
Last yr Lostwithiel in Cornwall efficiently recruited a brand new physician after a viral social media marketing campaign involving a track and a music video.
The track, set to the tune of Nina Simone’s ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ and carried out by the native choir, pleaded for a medic to deal with ‘people with bronchial asthma’, ‘younger new moms’ and ‘snot-filled others’.
The corresponding 90-second clip confirmed the city – simply 20 miles from Port Isaac, the place ITV collection Doc Martin is filmed – together with its college and companies.
The ‘Lostwithiel Needs a Doctor’ campaign was initiated by Dr Justin Hendriksz, a follow associate, who requested Really Lovely Projects, a neighborhood arts-led inventive firm, for assist.
He felt a extra inventive strategy was wanted to seek out newly skilled or present GPs to take care of the group of 5,000-plus.
And the stakes are simply as excessive on this sleepy nook of north Devon with residents dreading a prolonged journey to Barnstaple to go to a surgical procedure – which itself would solely have the ability to serve them two or three days every week, based on Ms Davis.
She added: ‘Barnstaple is not not far away and for our aged inhabitants particularly, this isn’t nice.’
Ms Fletcher was much less equivocal.
Last yr Lostwithiel in Cornwall efficiently recruited a brand new physician after a viral social media marketing campaign involving a track and a music video
The corresponding 90-second clip confirmed the city – simply 20 miles from Port Isaac, the place ITV collection Doc Martin is filmed – together with its college and companies
She stated: ‘There is panic. Everyone is frightened to loss of life.’
A spokesperson for NHS Devon stated: ‘As the commissioner for native GP companies, NHS Devon recognises the service is well-respected and well-used by individuals from the Lynton space and is actively pursuing an acceptable various to make sure GP provision stays accessible domestically.
‘This includes working with native system companions to find out the easiest way to keep up top quality GP companies.’
