'Difficult decision' to apply to close GP branch

An application has been made to close a GP branch in north Kent.

Highparks Medical Practice operates four sites at Cliffe Woods, Cliffe, Higham and Wainscott.

It has made an application to close the site at Higham.

The practice said that operating four sites had become "financially unsustainable due to high running and maintenance costs".

On its website Highparks Medical Practice said it needed to take steps to stabilise the practice's financial position to be sustainable going forward and therefore needed to close one of its branch sites.

"An independent assessment of all our sites was carried out, which included a review of staff allocation, services offered, and overall finances," said the practice.

"Based on the findings, we have determined that the site closure with the least impact on our patients will be Hermitage Road, Higham.

"After careful consideration and over 18 months of in-depth discussions, we are making a formal application to close this branch."

Any application to close the Higham branch has to be made to the local integrated care board (ICB), NHS Kent and Medway.

The ICB has responsibility to ensure primary care services are available and that any changes do not disadvantage local people.

The ICB has said it would follow its usual governance process if/when an application was received.

Patients from the practice have been invited to share how the proposed closure might affect them.

Highparks has launched a Patient Participation Group "to ensure this information reaches as many people in the community as possible".

"The practice emphasises that this is a difficult decision, and we want to assure patients that we are committed to providing safe, high-quality care throughout this transition," added a Highpark spokesperson.

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