Public debate open to discuss move of Burnham GP surgery

Members of the public have been invited to discuss the proposed move of the Burnham Town Surgery to the new Burnham Waters site on the western outskirts of the town.

Burnham Town Council and Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale will be hosting an open public forum in Burnham.

News of the relocation has caused widespread worry for some residents.

Many are concerned that other key town centre facilities such as the pharmacy could be moved out of Burnham.

Some residents believe the discussion to move the GP surgery could be part of a longer plan to link large new developments proposed for neighbouring Althorne.

And there are fears the beautiful rural landscape along the Crouch Valley and around the Dengie is gradually being transformed into something more urban.

A petition has been launched to save the surgery, which currently has more than 200 signatures.

The forum panel will include Sir John plus relevant decision-makers, including NHS representatives.

Integrated care board alliance director Dan Doherty has been invited, as well as Dr Smitesh Patel - the clinical director for the local primary care network made up of South Woodham Ferrers and Dengie doctors.

The practice manager at Burnham Surgery, Sharon Stubbs and Ian Holloway from the Burnham Waters Development has also been invited.

The moderator of the panel will be Sharon Westfield DeCortez from Healthwatch Essex, the local health service watchdog.

Town mayor Duncan Rawlinson said: “The town is all fired up about this issue, so we have moved as quickly as possible to get as many of the players as possible to answer their questions and concerns.”

Questions can be submitted ahead of the meeting, to be answered from the floor by the representatives invited.

The public forum is on Friday at 7pm at the Ormiston Rivers Academy. The meeting is expected to last about two hours.

For more information, go to burnhamoncrouchtowncouncil.gov.uk/notices/surgery-future-open-forum-update/.