St Peter's Surgery in Woolston could shut over landlord row

St Peter’s Surgery in Woolston said it is at a ‘crisis point’ as potential eviction looms.

In a letter sent to patients, shared with the Echo, head doctor Ali Robins said the practice will be forced to move out by September 10 if a solution is not found.

Politicians have hit out at the news and vowed to fight for the surgery, which is one of three in Portsmouth Road.

But the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) - which oversees health services and has been negotiating with the landlord on behalf of the surgery - said it is doing all it can to keep it open.

'Possibility the surgery will close'

According to Dr Robins, the dispute between the ICB and the surgery’s landlords has been ongoing since 2016.

Her letter reads: “The practice is in the middle of an ongoing dispute regarding the rent payments on surgery premises.

"Despite our best efforts, a solution has yet to be found to allow the two parties mentioned to reach a compromise.

“If this issue cannot be resolved there is a real possibility that St. Peter’s Surgery will have to close.

“Drs Amyn Kadri, Adam Malaczynski and I believed it would never come to this, and we have been working very hard to resolve the issues between all involved."

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She added: “We know this will be a concern for many of you and we want to emphasise that the practice team will be continuing to provide services whilst working very hard in the background to resolve the situation.”

Patients have been reassured that the team is working hard to keep the surgery going during this ‘challenging time’.

'Keep the surgery running'

Peartree councillor and deputy council leader Simon Letts said the closure of the surgery would be a ‘great loss’.

He said: “We will do everything we can to get some sort of resolution.

“The important thing is to keep that surgery running and operate as it has done, particularly at a time where GPs are under pressure and there is a shortage across the country.”

Fellow ward councillor Eamonn Keogh, who is a patient at the surgery himself, was shocked to hear the news.

He said: “I want to understand why it has come to this decision and I will do what I can to make sure there is a resolution.

“There is a limit to what we, as a council, can do but I am hoping we will receive more details and common sense prevails.”

St Peter’s Surgery is also backed by Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith who has written to the ICB, urging them to ‘work hard to resolve this dispute’.

Working together 

In response, James Roach, director of primary care for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, said: “We have been working with St Peter's Surgery and its landlord to help them resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

“We want to ensure that the needs of local patients continue to be met for the foreseeable future and are working hard to that end.”

The surgery is urging patients to refrain from calling reception to enquire about the situation as updates will be provided.

An open forum will be held at the neighbouring St Patrick’s Primary School on May 20 between 7pm and 9pm.

People will have the opportunity to discuss the situation with the landlord, surgery team, and councillors.

The landlord has been approached for comment.