Littlehampton patient group gives information on life after The Lawns and more

The REAL Patients Group, covering services in Rustington, East Preston, Angmering and Littlehampton, hosted its third meeting at the Windmill Theatre in Windmill Road, Littlehampton, on Saturday.

Chairman Neill Vinter said groups like REAL were important in letting patients know the options available to them.

“Public meetings where patients and public can meet GPs and discuss local healthcare issues outside the formal consulting room are essential to foster greater understanding of the difficulties faced in primary care,” said Mr Vinter.

“Patients need to have much more regular contact through patient groups and learn about both the changing options open to them locally and to be aware of the ways to access on the day care, out of hours and urgent care without everyone going to the A&E.

“Locality patient groups and practice-based patient participation groups help to facilitate both information and patient education.”

Healthcare across Arun has undergone a period of change recently, with the merger of Fitzalan Medical Group, The Park Surgery and Westcourt Medical Group into a 40,000-strong practice.

The impending retirement of The Lawns Surgery’s Dr Charles Shlosberg, will also see the practice’s 2,000 patients relocated.

Mr Vinter said the 2,000 patients presented a fraction of the 63,000 cared for in the area and would easily be absorbed into existing services.

Saturday’s meeting saw the GPs from the three merging practices provide more information on the project and the new NHS Long Term Plan.

The Lawns patients also heard from Coastal West Sussex CCG about registration events to transfer to new practices.

More news on the GP shake-ups around Littlehampton:

Fitzalan Medical Group to merge with Littlehampton surgeries to form ‘40,000 patient practice’

Rustington GP retires: Dr Shlosberg says he ‘wouldn’t have changed his career for the world’