Residents today presented a petition of 858 names, demanding a halt to plans to close Norfolk Park Doctor’s Surgery, as part of a campaign backed by local councillors and Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh.

Last month, Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group launched a consultation to close Norfolk Park Medical Practice and merge it with the Dovercourt Group Practice.

Campaigners say that residents will struggle to access GP services, if they are removed from Norfolk Park.

In her speech before full council, which was held at Ponds Forge due to social distancing measures, Kim McMaster from Norfolk Park Tenants and Resident’s Association (TARA) said: “As a community we have united against these proposals. We understand that it is claimed that the surgery is not viable because they cannot attract GPs to work in a “deprived community” with patients with complex health problems”.

“It is not fair that the people of Norfolk Park fall foul to this postcode lottery. Everyone, no matter wealth, background or location, deserves access to quality and convenient health services.”

She went on to say: “Elderly residents have voiced concern that they will struggle to travel to another GP surgery. If these proposals go ahead the effects will be devastating on the health of our community.”.

Norfolk Park Councillor Ben Miskell said: ‘It was great to see residents at full council today and they were rightly angry at proposals to close Norfolk Park Doctors Surgery. Over the coming weeks we intend to work with them to make the case to keep this important facility open”.

Councillor Sophie Wilson said: ‘The people of Norfolk Park deserve the same access to GP services as those living in wealthier parts of the city. The reasons we have been given as to why the surgery is unviable, high levels of deprivation and complex health needs of patients, are exactly why this area needs its own dedicated surgery. The closing of Norfolk Park GP, if it goes ahead, will be an injustice that will affect all residents in unrealised ways for years to come”. 

Councillor Jack Scott said: “I’ve met with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), alongside Louise Haigh MP and made my views clear. We need to safeguard GP services in Norfolk Park and that will continue to be my priority”.