ATTENDING the recent public meeting at the Charter Hall, called to Save Our (Okement) Surgery I was, along with many others, disgusted to hear the NHS speaker telling us that there never had been any need for public consultation on closing our surgery, that decisions had been taken and that was the end of the matter.

It didn’t help by hearing a promotional speech from a local politician supporting the future money-making monopoly surgery, at which he is already a patient and which is being created to provide GP services for residents in Okehampton and the surrounding rural areas.  Voices pointing out present problems there were dismissed or ignored.

Okement surgery patients were there to a register a protest at being ignored, their legal rights having been denied them, the NHS policies broken and to make it clear that the alternatives enforced upon them were unacceptable.

The question of whom had made decisions remained unanswered. Nothing can be done about it now, was the dismissive response.

The support of a hall filled with patients was appreciated by those expressing their fears at having to return to a surgery they had left for personal reasons, after being told the alternative Okehampton surgery would be permanent. And by others who now faced the prospect of distant surgeries, considered appropriate by the NHS staff who obviously knew nothing of inadequate rural bus services and four to five hour journeys having to be undertaken by parents with young children, the elderly or infirm to see a doctor.

The violation of so many aspects of the NHS published principles and the behind closed doors decision-making in an organisation that aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism must surely now be subject to a judicial review.

Why could this not be  initiated and supported by all councils; Devon County, West Devon Borough, Okehampton and its nearby Parish Councils?

The NHS websites confirm that patients have a legal right to choose a GP and GP practice and states to the reader that: ‘this means that, by law, you should be offered the opportunity to make choices that suit your needs.’

 The site also confirms that: ‘The system of responsibility and accountability for taking decisions in the NHS should be transparent and clear to the public, patients and staff.

‘The Government will ensure that there is always a clear and up-to-date statement of NHS accountability for this purpose.’

The Okehampton Times provided the first information to patients of their surgery being closed down!

Then there is the point the NHS makes online that its ‘services must reflect, and should be co-ordinated around and tailored to, the needs and preferences of patients, their families and their carers. Patients, with their families and carers where appropriate, will be involved in and consulted on all decisions about their care and treatment. The NHS will actively encourage feedback from the public, patients and staff, welcome it and use it to improve its services. 

‘Respect, dignity, compassion and care should be at the core of how patients and staff are treated.’  Really? Does NHS South (South West) know that?

‘The NHS aspires to put patients at the heart of everything it does.’

Let a judicial review consider why that hasn’t been applied to patients in and around Okehampton.

Roy Radford

South Zeal