CAMPAIGNERS say they will continue to fight on after a formal application was made to close a much needed local surgery in Sandiway.

Danebridge Medical Centre, a practice with more than 24,000 patients living in Northwich and its surrounding villages, has applied to NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to close Sandiway surgery.

The surgery has been at the heart of the village for more than 75 years, and during that time, Sandiway has doubled in size from around 1,300 homes to the 2,600.

A report by CCG regarding the consultation process which has been followed, will be reviewed by the Cheshire West and Chester Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a special meeting to be held on October 12 and following this, a special meeting will be held by the CCG Primary Care Commissioning committee (PCC), early in November, to examine the Danebridge proposal.

The development has prompted Cuddington Parish Council to write to its neighbouring parish and town councils to alert them to the proposal and to highlight how it could affect their residents too.

Pat Chrimes, Chairman of Cuddington Parish Council said: "Patients feel that the CCG should not support the removal of GP surgery provision from a significantly large rural community, the second largest Key Service Centre in Cheshire West and Chester.

"Danebridge is by far the largest practice in the area with over 24,000 patients living in Northwich and in surrounding villages.

"These will all be affected by the proposed closure of Sandiway Surgery since all patients would in the future be seen at either Kingsmead or Danebridge surgeries.

"Last year 2,900 appointments were offered at Sandiway and 15,000 appointments were at the other two surgeries.

"If Sandiway closes the demand at the other surgeries will increase by 20%."

The Save Sandiway Surgery Action Group, which was formed in December 2019 with the objective of keeping the surgery open and has the full backing of Cuddington Parish Council and the borough councillors for that area, has around 900 signatures of support already from patients.

The group wanted to ensure that all surrounding local councils were aware of the proposal and the impact it could have and it is expected that the local councils will discuss it on the agenda of their council meetings during September and October.

Nicola McKendrick, speaking on behalf of the group, said: "After stopping campaigning out of respect for the work they were doing in coping with covid, we find that Danebridge have made their formal proposal to close the surgery, so we have also re-started our action group activities.

"If you wish to comment on the quality of the consultation process carried out by Danebridge Practice you can contact the Cheshire West and Chester Overview & Scrutiny Committee (scrutiny@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk).

"If you wish to voice your concerns directly to the Clinical Commissioning Group you can contact them at https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/get-in-touch/.

"If you are a patient with Danebridge Medical Practice and want to contact the Action Group to show your support for the campaign to keep the surgery open, please email: savesandiway@gmail.com"