It cannot be right that a group of unelected officials are able to make decisions about the future healthcare provision to the population of Surrey without any form of consultation with patients, GPs or those who have benefited from the wonderful service at EDICS.
As a patient of EDICS I know the fantastic service that they offer. The decisions to close EDICS was made by a small minority of GPs who make up the Government inspired Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that are supposedly there to represent the best interests of the local population.
I understand that the vast majority of GPs across the area are actually opposed to the closure of EDICS, which has provided awarding winning patient care for the last eight years.
Serious questions need to be asked of the CCG and its chair as to the motivation for closing such a successful operation, which I understand could provide outstanding service at far less the cost than in hospitals.
Questions also need to be asked of our local MP Chris Grayling as to why he has stood by and let this happen. With so much self destruction going on within the NHS across the country why close a service that works and delivers to its patients?
The behaviour of the CCG is not only irresponsible, but has left the people of Epsom without any other credible alternative despite what the CCG may say. My next appointment with EDICS was at the beginning of September. Today I received a call and was told my care was being transferred to Epsom Hospital, but they could not give me a date for an appointment. Most probably 2014!
Unless we say enough is enough this bunch of bureaucrats will continue to make decisions that continue to destroy the fabric of our healthcare here in Epsom.
We have already seen a downgrading of the local hospital, now the loss of outstanding out-patient services. What will the CCG decided next – limit doctor appointments, charge for you to see your GP or start to determine what treatment you can and cannot have based on cost?
It is worrying that the CCG has no oversight or accountability. Serious questions need to be asked about their role and if they are genuinely working in the best interest of patients.
Chris Truelove
Epsom
Patient of EDICS
- Send your letters to: letters@epsomguardian.co.uk
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