Protest about the closure of Doctors’ Surgery in Evington
Residents held a vigil to protest against the closure of the GP surgery on The Common in Evington Village.
The Surgery on The Common was closed on the day of the protest – Friday 4th December 2024.
The site was a branch of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Centre in Netherhall Road , more than two miles away or two bus rides for some patients
A silent protest was held on Friday outside the surgery with concerns raised about other services in the area disappearing
The pharmacy on Main Street in Evington Village has recently closed while a post office is due to shut in January.
Ursula Bilson said the new location would prove a logistical headache for her. Ursula, an Evington resident told the BBC “This is making y life more complicated.
“At a period in my life when I need to be there for other people and help other members of my family, I can’t cope with my own things. This is not right”
Anne Turner said she needed a practice that she can easily access by bus.
Another village, Anne Turner, 70, said “I need to have something that I can walk to or that I can get a bus easily to and the practice that they advised me to sign on to, Netherhall road, is two buses away, which is one bus into town and one bus out again and I think that’s too much for me to do”.
The J&A Pharmacy, which has been in Main Street since the 1080s, closed last month due to financial reasons, according to owners R Glenton & Son.
Chris Pollock 76 said, “We just don’t want to see a load of boarded up property in the village.
“It;s not what we came for, it’s not what we live here for.
“We’re a good community, we’re a strong community and it’s gradually being eroded by lack of amenities.
Cllr. Zuffar Haq previously criticised the decision to close the branch surgery 12 days before Christmas.
Zuffar Haq, who represents Evington on Leicester City Council said, “We wanted to make sure the NHS and GPs understand the strength of feeling in this area
“There’s hundreds of patients who are going to have to travel 2.6 miles, catch four buses to go and see their GP.
“It’s totally unacceptable.”
A public meeting was held on 4th December at Pilgrim Gardens independent living in Evington, Leicester, so villager could air their concerns.
Residents raised objections to taking two buses to attend the main centre and changing to a different practice altogether.
Spokespeople for the ICB at the meeting said the branch surgery was no longer fit for purpose and that it had run a public consultation since June regarding the closure.
