ENFORCEMENT action at a struggling GP surgery has raised more questions than answers, a councillor has said.

As previously reported in The Gazette,the underfire Beggarwood surgery, in Broadmere Road, has been given six months to keep improving or it could face closure.

A recent inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the surgery had made improvements since being placed in special measures in June 2017.

However, the watchdog indicated if no further improvement was made it would have to start enforcement procedures to close the surgery.

This is something which has worried Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward councillor Terri Reid who said she was not expecting this ultimatum to be placed on the surgery.

Cllr Reid said: “Since the introduction of a new GP and working closely with the CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) I have heard fewer complaints about the surgery and residents have seen improvements in the care they have received.

“So when I saw the CQC report I was shocked to see the six month ultimatum, and it is concerning because if the surgery is made to close, where does that leave all the patients?

“Surely there needs to be some form of plan for where patients go. We need clarity from the CCQ as to what happens if, after six months, the surgery is forced to close. At the moment we have more questions than answers.”

The surgery, which is run by Cedar Medial LTD, serves approximately 7,400 patients, has had issues since February 2017, with many members of staff resigning.

The NHS North Hampshire CCG, which delivers healthcare services in the borough has said it will continue to work closely with the surgery to ensure improvements continue and avoid the closure threat.

Nicola Decker, clinical chairman at NHS North Hampshire CCG, said: “The CCG continues to work with the CQC and Beggarwood Surgery to address the concerns raised in its recently published inspection report.

Together we are committed to ensuring patients receive high quality, safe and responsive care in our community.

“We began working with Beggarwood in spring 2017, and are pleased that the improvements at the practice were recognised in the subsequent inspection published last month. The ratings address five key areas: safety; effective; caring; responsive to the needs of patients; and well led. We are particularly pleased that caring has been rated as ‘good’. The overall rating of “requires improvement’ is a step in the right direction, and reflects the hard work undertaken by the teams. One outcome of this is demonstrated by the successful recruitment of a number of substantive posts within the surgery – both GP and practice staff.”