A DOCTOR'S surgery in Stanford-le-Hope is on the move after being forced to quit its current premises.

Southend Road Surgery has been served notice by its landlord that the building has to be vacated by 27 September this year.

The practice has been exploring alternative options to ensure the imposed change in premises has minimal impact on registered patients and their access to local services and has identified an opportunity to relocate to Corringham Medical Centre at 114 Giffords Cross Road, Corringham, SS17 7QQ.

It's just over 1.5 miles away by road, meaning a three-minute car journey, or 16 minute journey on public transport. Alternatively, it's a 20 minute walk away.   

The building on Giffords Cross Road.

The building on Giffords Cross Road is currently utilised by Stanford-le-Hope Primary Care Network to deliver healthcare services which Southend Road patients are already using, and it has available space to accommodate all Southend Road Surgery staff and patient services.

A statement from the network says: "This option would ensure existing patient services could continue in a nearby location, and that patients have continuity of care from familiar healthcare staff.

"This is a pragmatic option for Southend Road patients that would mean access to the same services in an alternative site, close to the existing surgery and with a sizeable carpark that has sufficient parking for all staff and patients.

"Under the proposed solution, patients would remain registered with the practice and do not need to take any further action in order to keep accessing primary care services."

Southend Road Surgery will be running a period of patient engagement that began yesterday (Tuesday, 10 June) and runs to Sunday, 6 July to gather patient feedback and views on the proposal.

The engagement will include digital and print copies of a patient survey, as well as a patient engagement event at Southend Road Surgery on Saturday, 21 June from 10am-12pm.

After patient engagement has concluded, the GP practice will be required to submit an application to NHS Mid and South Essex regarding the change, which will outline the rationale and evidence for how they will continue to meet the needs of registered patients. This will include themes from the patient engagement exercise. This will be considered by the Primary Care Commissioning Committee.