‘Serious concern’ over closure threat to York GP surgery

York councillors have expressed serious concern over the threat to a GP surgery.

The Bishopthorpe practice could be axed, and patients be transferred to an enlarged Copmanthorpe surgery, under new plans.

A planning application has been submitted by the Old School Medical Practice to extend its premises in Horseman Lane, Copmanthorpe, to create six new clinical rooms. 

The application states that this will allow the merger of the medical practice with the Bishopthorpe Surgery. Its lease runs out in mid 2024.

Closing the Bishopthorpe surgery would leave residents without adequate access to a GP, ward councillors say.

There is no direct bus link between the two villages and so this would require residents walk to York College to catch the 840 Coastliner or go into York to catch the 13 if they do not have access to a car.

York Lib Dems and local campaigner Chris Gammie have launched a petition asking for the decision to close the surgery to be reconsidered by the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. 

You can find it here.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat executive member with responsibility for health integration, said: “The proposals for Bishopthorpe are extremely concerning. The requirement to travel to Copmanthorpe will leave many who don’t have access to a car without access to a GP.

“This week I spoke with a 90 year old resident who has no way of accessing services and feels guilty relying on friends to allow her to access basic health care .

“Whilst the parish council’s efforts to investigate a possible satellite site in the village are welcome, this would still lead to a significant reduction in the level of service available to local residents which.

“I will be contacting representatives of the practice and continuing discussions with the Integrated Care Board, to ensure all possible options are explored to retain access to crucial primary care for hundreds of York residents.”