PATIENTS at Crown Heights Medical Centre must feel let down by news their surgery is not up to standard.

The partners attribute some of the problems to being unable to recruit new GPs and rising patient numbers. They are not allowed to refuse more patients, even though they can’t cope with the existing numbers.

Does this highlight a wider issue?

A new 578 home development is being built nearby. Where will these residents go when they need to see a doctor?

The Care Quality Commission has threatened to close the surgery if it does not improve, but where will all the existing patients go?

Surely this would put additional pressure on other surgeries, and create the same problems there?

Crown Heights is in an area that has seen much development. But it seems that the infrastructure to support these new homes has not been considered.

We have previously reported on long waits to see GPs at other surgeries, showing the problem is widespread.

It is hoped that Crown Heights can improve, but maybe the wider issues also need to be considered to prevent other surgeries heading in the same direction.

-Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter