Dear Sirs,
I am concerned by the proposed closure of the Guildhall Walk Healthcare centre by the local clinical commissioning group (CCG). The proposals are bad news for Portsmouth people.
The centre, a GP surgery for 6,000 local people across Charles Dickens ward and other city centre neighbourhoods, provides a much-loved and valuable health service to the local community.
The percentage of local people who report living in good health in the ward is considerably below national averages, whilst parts of Landport see 65% of children in poverty. These ill-conceived proposals from the CCG to close the centre are at risk of putting residents health and wellbeing in even greater risk.
The Centre is popular with students, visitors and residents across the city – who may not be registered with a GP and rely on the excellent facilities and out of hours service – let alone the homeless and other vulnerable members of our communities who access the services at their convenient, accessible central location.
I encourage everyone who has relied on the services at Guildhall Walk to speak up. And for those that are unable to, I urge the CCG to reconsider these concerning proposals on behalf of residents in Charles Dickens ward.
Stephen Morgan, Labour candidate, Charles Dickens ward
