Proposed Boundary Changes For Strathmore Surgery (Updated)

Update August 5th

We contacted the Community Health Council about the decision regarding the boundary changes and if Strathmore would be able to provide patients with a list of alternative GP’s, they have since provided us with the following statement:

“The GP practice has asked the Community Health Council (CHC) to be involved in this matter in order that:

• Patients are aware of what the GP practice is planning
• Patients are allowed to give their views on these plans
• Patients can talk to an independent organisation about their views and concerns.

The issues and comments received from all patients will be discussed and considered by the CHC’s Wrexham Local Committee.

The CHC will be asked to comment on the GP practice’s proposal and will ask how the practice proposes to address any issues raised by patients as a result of the proposed changes. All comments received from patients will be treated in confidence and will be shared anonymously with the GP practice and the health board.

The CHC can provide you with a list of alternative GP surgeries in your postcode area should you require.”

Original Story August 1st:

A number of patients of the Strathmore surgery on Chester Road have received a letter this week informing them of proposed patient & boundary locations.

The proposed boundary changes would mean that current patients who fall outside of the proposed boundary location , will have to look for an alternative surgery.

It is stated in the letter that the reasons for the proposals are due to increase in patient demand, nnot wanting to compromise the level of service and the size of the surgery not being large enough to facilitate the demand.

The letter also states that GPs who take house calls in the mornings and afternoons, have found themselves travelling significant distances north, south, east and west of Wrexham.

It is also stated that “Our proposal is for a reduction of patient numbers so as to match the available resources at Strathmore.”

Currently the surgery patient boundary includes areas such as Southsea, Holt, Llay and Rossett. However the proposed changes would mean that patients who live in Rhosrobin, Llay, Gwersyllt and New Broughton will have to find an alternative surgery.

The proposed new boundary will cover areas such as Rhostyllen, Hightown, the Industrial Estate and Borras. This is despite locations such as Borras and Gresford already having a GP in their local area.

However patients who have received the letter have told us they have not been provided with any alternative GP surgeries.

The demand in the surgery has meant that may patients have had to wait a significant amount of time for a routine appointment. One patient has been in touch to tell us that she was told Strathmore did not have any available appointments throughout August.

In response to the increase in demand of services and in an attempt to improve their services, the surgery have increased the level of nurse practioners. They have also introduced triage to help match the needs of the patient to the right clinician at the right time frame.

You can contact the Community Health Council (in confidence) with your opinions, both positive and negative, by phoning 01248 679284. Or alternatively you can email [email protected] .

Pictured above is the map of the proposed boundary changes. The red line indicates the current patient areas and the black dots show the proposed changes – for a larger version please click here.