Stockton on the Forest Surgery changes

10th August 2023 - 11:35 AM

YORK PATIENTS: Despite our greatest efforts, we can no longer continue to provide a service at Stockton on the Forest Surgery, due to staff shortages. 
 
The surgery has been closed since 10 November 2022, whilst we have been reviewing the situation. 
 
Many discussions have taken place during this time. We asked patients for their views, attended a public meeting, met with local politicians and the Parish Council, whilst looking at ways to reopen the surgery. 
 
Following a thorough review of services across Haxby Group, we took the decision in March 2023, to apply to the NHS to close the premises permanently.  
 
Taking both patient and Practice perspectives into account, the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has approved Haxby Group’s request to close its Stockton on the Forest surgery, on the basis that a more comprehensive and clinically effective range of services can be delivered via our surgery in Huntington.  
 
The Stockton on the Forest Surgery will now permanently close. 
 
Please be assured that, as a Haxby Group patient, you will still have access to medical care with our clinicians, should you require it. Your nearest Haxby Group Surgery is three miles away in Huntington.  
 
We understand that the closure of this surgery is disappointing, but this does not mean a reduction in the total number of appointments we offer. Clinically appropriate home visits will also continue as normal. 
 
We have listened to patients’ concerns around transport. For those Stockton on the Forest patients with no transport support, who need to attend an appointment at one of our Surgeries, the ICB will be making suitable arrangements with York Wheels. Please ask our staff for details if you need help with transport to an appointment. 
 
Haxby & Wigginton, Gale Farm and Huntington Surgeries will remain open 8.00am – 6.00pm.  All our patients can still contact us online from 7.00am until 7.00pm Monday to Friday, or by phone from 8.00am until 6.00pm.  
 
Patients do not need to do anything regarding their registration and will continue to be registered at Haxby Group. 
 
We know from the survey responses, however, that some patients may want to consider registering with another practice. We appreciate that other Surgeries might be more convenient for you to access.   To find other Surgeries in York, please visit nhs.uk or contact the ICB Experience Team on 01904 555999. 
 
The survey also highlighted concerns around obtaining repeat prescriptions. The easiest way to request repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through our Haxby Group website. Patients who previously delivered their paper prescriptions to Stockton on the Forest Surgery can either; discuss with their local pharmacy who can order for them, or drop their prescriptions in at another Haxby Group Surgery.  Patients who are eligible can order over the telephone on 01904 928008. 
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the changes, please contact the ICB Experience Team at hnicb.experience@nhs.net or telephone 01904 555999.