Thousands of patients told to move GP after inspectors shut down Carlton surgery

Watch: Patients said they should have been given more notice about the closure

Thousands of people in Carlton have been left without a GP after a surgery was closed overnight following a visit by inspectors.

The Willows Medical Centre, on Church Street, shut at 7pm on Friday “until further notice” after a visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) five days before.

Patients are instead being asked to make appointments at three other centres. More than 3,500 people are believed to be on the books of the practice.

No specific reason for the closure has been given by the CQC, which said only that it was
“taking action to protect the safety and welfare of patients”.

No-one from Willows Medical Centre could be reached for comment.

Patients of the centre are instead being asked to contact the following surgeries for appointments and prescriptions;

  • Peacock Healthcare, Carlton Hill, 0115 958 0415
  • Park House Medical Centre, Burton Road, Carlton, 0115 940 433
  • Netherfield Medical Centre, Forester Street, Netherfield, 0115 961 4583

A CQC spokesman said: “Inspectors visited the surgery following concerns that had been raised and, as a result, urgent enforcement action is being taken.

“CQC is working closely with Nottingham North and East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS England to ensure any patients of the surgery have access to GP services.

“While our legal processes do not allow us to go into further detail at this time, we will publish a full report of our findings in due course. Any action CQC takes is open to appeal.”

willows-sign-carlton-medical-centre

Picture: Signs left outside Willows Medical Centre on Monday

Sam Walters, Chief Officer, Nottingham North and East CCG, said: “We will support Park House, Peacock and Netherfield to ensure they have the capacity and GP provision to meet patients’ needs.

“We are working closely the CQC and NHS England team to address the issues highlighted in the CQC inspection. If patients wish to discuss any concerns regarding the surgery closure they should contact our Patient Experience Team.”