Nottingham doctor’s practice with 4,000 patients to close amid financial pressures

A Nottingham GP practice with almost 4,000 patients is to close after its providers give notice of contract termination. The Forest Practice in Hyson Green will close at the end of October, meaning people registered with the practice will be forced to move.

Nottinghamshire NHS leaders said patients at the clinic, which is based at the Mary Potter Centre, would be allocated to the nearest GPs, including Fairfields and High Green, which are in the same building. They said patients would be sent letters.

Nottingham’s Local Medical Committee (LMC) said the closure was a symptom of financial difficulties among GP practices in the country. Earlier this year, partners at the Windmill Practice in Sneinton gave notice of termination of their contract, before it was taken over by a new provider.

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Michael Wright, chief executive of the LMC, said there was “no single spark” for the fall of the well-established practice but expected the “main driver” to be finances. He also raised concerns about the potential impact on surgeries that will be forced to accept more patients.

“It’s been possible for some time. It’s a bad sign, actually,” he said. “It’s an indication of where we’re headed, unfortunately.

“There is a lack of funding and everyone has been affected by rising staff costs. They will be struggling to keep up with the cost of living.

“There are a number of practices that are looking to the future and are concerned about this. I hope (Health Secretary) Wes Streeting and the new administration look at GPs, if not we will see more of this.”

An NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire spokesperson said: “We are currently working on plans to ensure patients registered with the practice continue to have good access to GP services in their local area. There is capacity for more patients at other nearby practices, so patients will be allocated the closest available practice to their home address.

“Once this planning is complete, patients will receive a letter confirming the details of their new practice and how they can continue to access GP services. Patients do not need to take any action and should continue to contact Forest Practice for their healthcare needs as normal whilst this process is underway. Once this process is complete, patients will have the option to move to a different practice if they wish, provided they live in the area served by their preferred practice.

“Funding for GP practices is calculated using a number of different factors, including the number of patients registered. Practices that accept patients from The Forest Practice will therefore have their funding increased from the date patients are registered with them.” The Forest Practice declined to comment.