The closure has prompted ‘significant challenges’ a resident said
The GP branch surgery, in Evington.(Image: Google)
Residents are demanding “essential services” be reinstated after a Leicester GP surgery and pharmacy closed. St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre, which serves patients in Netherhall and Evington, shut its branch in The Common, Evington, in November 2024, following the “landlord’s decision to sell the property”.
The closure had been approved by NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB), which provides local healthcare services, after St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre applied for permission for it to shut, instead of opening the branch elsewhere, and the following month, J & A Pharmacy, in Main Street, Evington, also shut permanently. The ICB’s decision to approve the closure of the surgery is now being looked into by the Parliamentary Health Ombudsman.
Long-time resident of the area John McFadyen told LeicestershireLive that he had witnessed the “impact” that the closures had had on the community, claiming some people had been left “in distress”. He said some people now had to make a two-hour journey to access medical services.
Mr McFadyen said: “[The closures have had an impact], particularly on our elderly and disabled neighbours who have relied on these services for years. [The closures have] left many residents of Evington Village in distress and facing significant challenges.
“Evington Village is home to a significant number of elderly and disabled individuals who already face mobility challenges. With the closure of our local GP surgery, these individuals now endure a two-hour bus journey to access medical services they’ve trusted for many years.
“This is more than an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to essential healthcare. Similarly, accessing pharmacy services now involves bus or expensive taxi journeys, adding unnecessary stress and financial burden on those who can least afford it.”
J & A Pharmacy, which is a short walk from the GP practice.(Image: Google)
He has started an online petition urging the ICB to “reconsider” the decision to allow the GP branch to close. He added: “The decision to close these vital services was made against the expressed wishes of the majority of Evington Village residents.
“It’s essential that our voices are heard, and our needs prioritised. The ICB must reconsider their decision and work towards reinstating a branch surgery and pharmacy. Our village is at risk of losing the community spirit and quality of life we’ve cherished.” “We propose that the ICB explores alternative funding or partnerships to support the return of these essential services within Evington Village,” he said.
A spokesperson for the ICB told LeicestershireLive that patients were “consulted” on the closure of the branch practice, and said that there were “no plans” for services to be reinstated.
They said: “Last June, the St Elizabeth’s Medical Centre consulted with its patients on the proposed closure of its branch practice located in Evington. The ICB has a responsibility to oversee the process and support the practice with its consultation. Having been satisfied that due diligence had been followed, we approved the practice’s application to close the branch surgery.
“Patients were supported by the practice and the ICB to continue accessing healthcare by automatically having their registration transferred to the practice’s main site, or at a practice within one mile of The Common and several others within 1.5 miles.”
They said the ICB was currently supporting the Parliamentary Health Ombudsman investigation into the “process undertaken” relating to the closure of the GP surgery, which served 1,000 patients. They added: “The ICB is confident that our decision to approve the closure of the branch site was robust and there are no plans to reinstate services.”
LeicestershireLive contacted the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which said it was “unable to provide any details” due to it investigating a case. It said: “Our legislation states we must investigate in private.”
The petition can be viewed by searching for ‘Reinstate Evington Village GP Surgery and Pharmacy’ on change.org.
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