§ 75. Mr. Donald Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in replacing doctors who have left the National Health Service or closed surgeries in the Shenley Lane and Bartley Green areas of Northfield, Birmingham.
§ Mr. SnowThe Birmingham Executive Council have refused consent to the closure of the surgery at 468 Shenley Lane, and my right hon. Friend is now urgently considering an appeal by the doctor concerned against this refusal. I understand from the Executive Council that there are suitable alternative arrangements for patients who formerly attended a branch surgery at 5 Jiggins Lane, Bartley Green, which was closed with the Council's consent last June.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that any solution for the closing of the doctors' surgery at 468, Shenley Lane, Northfield, Birmingham, that involves transfer of the patients to the register of another doctor practising in another part of Northfield, will involve hardship and inconvenience, particularly for the elderly; and whether he will therefore seek to provide a replacement at or near to the closed surgery.