A Gateshead GP surgery faces closure after the sudden death of its sole contractor.
The Metro Interchange Surgery, located on Jackson Street, is set to close after the unexpected death of Dr Sayed Masroor Imam on December 8, 2022. The former surgery is set to close on April 1, 2023.
Shortly after the passing of Dr Imam an emergency contract was issued and awarded to Bridges Medical Practice, this contract is scheduled to end on March 31, 2023. An emergency contract could be extended for up to 10 years, however, this could generate an annual cost of £480,124.
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On February 14 2023, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board approved the reallocation of the surgery's 2,911 registered patients. Patients were informed they did not have to register with another GP themselves as they would be allocated another one, but they had the choice if they so wished.
The Integrated Care Board, the organisation responsible for commissioning health services, approved the following re-allocations based on the following postcodes:
NE10 0: Pelaw Medical Practice
NE10 8: Longrigg Medical Centre
NE10 9: Crowhall Medical Centre / St Albans Medical Group
NE11 0: Glenpark Medical Centre
NE8 2: Second Street / Bensham Family Practice / Teams
NE9 5: Fell Cottage Surgery / Fell Tower Medical Centre
NE9 6: Beacon View Medical Centre
NE9 7: Wrekenton Medical Group
NE8 1/3: Oxford Terrace / Central / Millennium / Bridges / Bewick
NE8 4: Bewick Road
NE16 5: Sunniside Surgery
NE21 4: Oldwell Surgery / Hollyhurst Medical Centre NE21 4
NE21 5/6: Chainbridge Medical Partnership / Blaydon Practice
The Local Medical Committee also voiced their approval for the patient list dispersal as patients, according to council documents, would be allocated to new practices capable of the new influx. Gateshead councillors have been informed several members of staff at the surgery have already found other jobs.
According to council documents, "key stakeholders" will be updated towards the end of March 2023 regarding the closure.
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