November 28, 2016 4.39 pm
This story is over 68 months old
Lincoln GP surgeries among four to close, 11k patients affected
Two Lincoln GP surgeries are among four to close in the county, it’s been announced today. Arboretum Surgery and Burton Road Surgery, both in Lincoln, Metheringham Surgery and Pottergate Surgery, in Gainsborough, will all close on January 7, 2017. Some 11,000 affected patients are being told they’ll have until January 7 to register with an alternative…
Arboretum Surgery and Burton Road Surgery closed on January 7. Photo: Google
Two Lincoln GP surgeries are among four to close in the county, it’s been announced today.
Arboretum Surgery and Burton Road Surgery, both in Lincoln, Metheringham Surgery and Pottergate Surgery, in Gainsborough, will all close on January 7, 2017.
Some 11,000 affected patients are being told they’ll have until January 7 to register with an alternative practice within 0.2 miles of their current surgery.
As reported previously, Universal Health, which was brought in to manage the four practices in 2015, asked the NHS to take over its contract in July due to financial difficulties.
NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group had sought to secure a long-term provider to take over the management of the practices.
The CCG said while applications were received and evaluated by an independent evaluation panel, the bids did not meet the minimum criteria for a contract to be awarded for the provision of services.
The Lincolnite was told employers LCHS are hoping staff will not be made redundant, but will find ‘Suitable Alternative Employment elsewhere in the NHS’.
Sarah-Jane Mills, director for service development and delivery at Lincolnshire West CCG, said: “In these regrettable circumstances, we have no alternative but to close the practices.
“But patients must absolutely be assured they have the full support of the CCG to help them choose an alternative practice to register with. Ultimately, it is the patients’ choice.
“There is at least one alternative option at each of the closing practices that is within 0.2 miles of where patients currently are.
“At Arboretum, Burton Road and Pottergate there is one option for each that is within a matter of yards.”
Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will continue in its caretaker management role at the four practices until January, 2017.
Letters have been sent to patients to invite them to a number of drop-in events close to their respective practice.
Patients have until January 7 to register with a different GP practice. If they can’t do this by that date, the CCG will automatically allocate those patients a surgery on their behalf.
Sarah Newton, chief operating officer at Lincolnshire West CCG, said: “Unfortunately, we were not in a position to offer a contract to any of the bidders.
“Patients are the key priority and we could not risk a repeat of the uncertainty they were in, back in August. And we simply could not be in a position where practices were not financially viable again. It is not fair on patients and it is not fair on staff.”
Arboretum Surgery
For patients at Arboretum Surgery, the following practices are currently accepting new patients: Abbey Medical Practice; Brayford Medical Practice; Glebe Park Surgery; Portland Medical Practice; Witham Medical Practice and University Health Centre.
There will be two drop-in sessions for Arboretum patients on Friday, December 2, between 4pm and 6pm, at the Abbey Access Centre in Arboretum Lodge, Monks Road, and at the same venue on Tuesday, December 6, between 10am and 12 noon.
Burton Road Surgery
For patients at Burton Road Surgery, the following practices are currently accepting new patients: Cliff House Medical Centre; Glebe Park Surgery; Lindum Medical Practice and Minster Medical Practice.
There will be two drop-in sessions for Burton Road patients on Thursday, December 1, between 4pm and 6pm at Burton Road Methodist Church and at the same venue on Monday, December 5, between 10am and 12 noon.
Metheringham Surgery
For patients at Metheringham Surgery, the following practices are currently accepting new patients: Church Walk Surgery in Metheringham and Tasburgh Lodge, Woodhall Spa.
There will be drop-in sessions for Metheringham Surgery patients on Friday, December 2, between 10am and 12 noon at St Wilfrid’s Church Hall in the village and at the same venue on Tuesday, December 6 between 4pm and 6pm.
Pottergate Surgery
For patients at Pottergate Surgery, the following practices are currently accepting new patients: Cleveland Medical Practice and Caskgate Street Surgery.
There will be drop-in sessions for Pottergate patients on Thursday, December 1, between 10am and 12 noon at Trentside Unit, John Coupland Hospital and at the same venue on Monday, December 5, between 4pm and 6pm.
Patients can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0845 602 4384 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. PALS provides confidential advice and support to patients, carers and relatives and can help with providing information about other surgeries people can register with.
They can also call the CCG helpline on 01522 515380, between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
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A Lincoln care home resident had a day she’ll never forget after celebrating her 106th birthday by being served lunch by a butler in the buff.
Norah Shaw received close to 200 birthday cards after an appeal from Tennyson Wharf Care Home in Burton Waters.
As well as being served lunch by a buff butler provided by Butlers in the Buff, Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer Eleanor Mattley, as well as cake and wine.
Norah enjoyed chatting to her buff butler Ed. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
The care home said: “Well, what an absolutely fantastic day for a truly special lady.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who sent Norah birthday cards and presents. We are all so touched by the heartwarming kindness that has been shown. It really has been astonishing.
Norah even got a card from The Queen. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“Norah was blown away with the generosity and kindness so thank you to each and and every single person for being so amazing. It was so lovely to all be a part of seeing Norah enjoy them all.
“As you can see, Norah thoroughly enjoyed her butler in the buff surprise. The amazing kitchen supplied a wonderful afternoon tea which Ed, the butler served to Norah. What an experience that was for everyone involved.
Norah celebrating a birthday she will never forget! | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Staff enjoyed celebrating Norah’s birthday with her. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer – Eleanor Mattley. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“We finished the day with a special performance from Norah’s all time favourite singer Eleanor Mattley Productions – Care Home Entertainment with prosecco and cake. The atmosphere was amazing as staff and residents joined together in song and dance for a truly magnificent afternoon.”
A new bar promising dancing bartenders and over 100 cocktails will open in Lincoln on Tuesday, and The Lincolnite went for a sneak preview as the first customer.
Be At One, which is managed by Stonegate Pub Group, will open on the High Street in the former Curiosity Shop on August 9 after more than £750,000 worth of investment.
The bar features an electric colour scheme with teal, pink and blue furnishings throughout. Gold and silver accents complete the space, with LED walls, ceilings, and neon signs lighting up the night. The bar also has an outside terrace area for guests to enjoy.
Lincoln will be the 38th Be At One to be opened by Stonegate Pub Group in England and Wales and General Manager Oskar Wozniak can’t wait to welcome the first guests through the door.
See inside Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar Wozniak is the General Manager at Be At One Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Oskar, who has worked at other Be At One venues in Birmingham and Leeds, told The Lincolnite: “I am excited. Once we’re open and doing what we do best, throwing a great party and making the best cocktails, we look forward to being a go to venue in Lincoln.”
Bar staff at Be At One Lincoln served up a range of cocktails for The Lincolnite, including classics such as Pornstar Martini, as well as its very own ‘Raspberry Beret’ and ‘Pretty Whiskey Business’.
Adding the finishing touches to a cocktail! | Photo: Steve Smailes at The Lincolnite
Raspberry Beret is a popular Be At One cocktail across the country. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new bar saw four members of the Be At One team move over to Lincoln and over 10 new jobs were also created.
Be At One Lincoln will be open daily at the following times:
Monday to Wednesday – 4.30pm-1am
Thursday – 4.30pm-2am
Friday – 3pm-2am
Saturday – 12pm-2am
Sunday – 3pm-1am
A view from the second floor. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Be At One Lincoln is located in the unit formerly occupied by Curiosity Shop on the High Street. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite