Balham GP surgery saved from closure
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
A surgery that was placed under special measures where locals feared closure will be allowed to stay open under new management.
Balham residents feared for the future of Trinity Medical Centre, which has more than 8,000 patients on its books, following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.
The surgery was given the worst possible rating “inadequate” twice in a row by the CQC, meaning it could have been shut down without immediate improvements.
However, lots of residents wanted the surgery to continue running, and more than 1,000 signed a petition to keep it open.
The latest inspection in June and July found a staffing crisis at the surgery after 14 workers left between October 2021 and June 2022.
Staff said the work was too stressful and that they had to work long hours due to shortages on a weekly basis.
But a Change.org petition to “save” the surgery signed by 1,095 people said it had been “hit by Covid like a tsunami”. It warned so many people would “struggle to find a new doctor” and have to “start from scratch” if it shut.
A new website for the surgery has now confirmed it will stay open under new management and ownership.
The statement on the website reads: “Longer opening times, more GPs, enhanced services as well as ways to get in touch with us digitally are all planned to be available shortly.”
The announcement has been celebrated by locals on the petition’s original page.
Allen Hartland wrote: “Been with this surgery for 50 years. They have always been good. However, the last few years have proved to be difficult for many reasons. However, now that things have been sorted, I pray that new management will bring it back up to the level we once had.”
Pauline Gay added: “Great news. Surgery and doctors are excellent. No way should it be shut down. We are all very relieved.”
Trinity Medical Centre has been contacted for comment.Â
Pictured top: Trinity Medical Centre, 278-280 Balham High Road (Picture: Charlotte Lillywhite)
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