As with many NHS services, we face ongoing clinical recruitment difficulties, this underpinned by the inadequate small facility, we propose to close Congresbury Surgery permanently as a GP Practice.
Congresbury Surgery was an integral site for the care and protection of our patients, our ‘Hot-Site’ for two years during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. This allowed us to maintain the level of service during challenging and unprecedented circumstances and are grateful that we could use the surgery facilities to continue care across Mendip Vale.
More recently, as the pandemic ends and we are now living with Covid, we have revisited what we can do with the surgery, as it does not appear feasible to reopen. Over the last few months, Mendip Vale management and the ICB (Integrated Care Board) have been working together to find a solution on how we can provide patient services to Congresbury residents. All possible options have been explored, however, with pressures on the NHS it has not been possible to find a way to provide permanent, safe service at the practice.
Solutions explored included the redevelopment of the surgery to make the building fit for use and facilities of a good standard. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the investment due to the substantial cost to make such improvements, especially in a financially strained NHS. The small size of the site makes extending unrealistic and planning proposals for a new surgery at Smallway have been thwarted over the years by funding and planning issues. We will update you on what will happen with the site when details have been confirmed.
We recognise the importance of Congresbury Surgery to our patients and the community, and this proposal has not been taken lightly. Our priority continues to be the safety of our patients and to ensure they continue to have good access to healthcare services. Local Mendip Vale surgeries is Yatton Surgery (1.5 miles away) and Langford Surgery (3.1 miles away). We understand that some patients do not have their own transportation or may struggle to use conventional public transport. Please find details below for local community transport options. For more details, search visit the Mendip Vale Website: mendipvale.nhs.net.
WESTlink On- Demand bus service: 01174578561 Telephone lines are open Monday to Saturday between 05:30 and 21:30, and Sunday and public holidays between 09:00 and 18:00.
WESTlink buses in North Somerset are operational Monday to Saturday 7am-7pm. No buses on Sunday.
For more information, search the WESTlink website Home – WESTlink (travelwest.info)
Clevedon Care: 01275 343677 lines are open Mon to Fri, between 9:30 and 12:30. For more information, search the Clevedon Care website Clevedon Care Driving for Health
If you would like to raise any feedback, questions, or concerns please email, bnssg.mendipvale.scanners@nhs.net
