By Chris Yandell

Southern Daily Echo – 2 May 2024

A Hampshire MP has backed the campaign to save the only GP surgery in a village with almost 6,000 residents. Sir Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, has raised concerns over the proposed closure of the Forestside Medical Practice in Main Road, Marchwood. The plan has angered Marchwood residents who have to rely on public transport. They say the journey to Forestside's sister surgery in Dibden Purlieu would involve two bus journeys followed byanother two to get home, resulting in a round trip of up to three hours.

Now, Sir Julian has written to the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. It comes after Oceanic Galaxy was given outline planning permission to build up to 150homes at Cork's Farm in Normandy Way, Marchwood. Sir Julian's letter says:

"Marchwood is a community of nearly 6,000 people and not having a GP surgery there would constitute a gap in provision. Ensuring a viable and accessible network of GP practices throughout the county ought to lie at the heart of the activities carried out by an integrated care board.

"Please do everything you can to ensure that Marchwood residents receive the doctors' services they require and are entitled to expect."

Fellow campaigners include Marchwood's Liberal Democrat county councillor, David Harrison. He said:

"I have been present in meetings when NHS bosses have talked about making primary care more accessible for local people. These plans run completely counter to that."

Referring to Sir Julian's letter, Cllr Harrison said:

"He has suggested a shuttle service be provided for patients to be able to get to Dibden Purlieu. I think the problem with this is there is no guarantee that it would be available longer term."

Emma Cooke, 41, who suffers from epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, has launched an online petition in a bid to save the surgery. The petition says:

"For me and many others in our community, the local GP practice is not just a medical facility, it is a lifeline."

Other Marchwood residents have also taken to social media. One man said:

"Travelling to the Dibden Purlieu surgery requires a number 8 bus to Hythe and then a long wait for a number 9 bus. For unwell elderly patients, this is a step too far."

A statement on the practice's website cites the shortage of healthcare professionals in the area and also refers to its role in supporting the Urgent Care Centre at the new Hythe Hospital. It adds:

"Staff are being spread thinly across three sites."