'Hands off our Shropdoc!' Protest to be held this week after thousands sign petition to save out-of-hours GP service
A protest will take place this week against the decision that looks set to see Shropdoc lose its status as the county’s out-of-hours GP provider.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Campaigners from Shropshire Defend Our NHS, The Shropshire Green Party, and other local groups will voice their concerns over NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin's decision on Thursday.
The 'Save Our Shropdoc' protest will take place outside The Guildhall in Shrewsbury where Shropshire Council will be meeting.
Shropdoc has provided the county's out-of-hours GP services on a 'not for profit' basis since 1996.
But, earlier this month, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin announced that it 'intended to award' the contract for the service to Wiltshire-based company, Medivo.
Health chiefs at the county's Integrated Care Board (ICB) say the decision has nothing to do with making financial cuts or ‘privatisation’.
The ICB said it is "clear" in its "intention to prioritise as little impact as possible" to patients and residents.
It added that the decision was "driven by legislation in this area, given the size and duration of the contract".
A petition to reverse the decision has gained more than 13,000 signatures so far, and campaigners say a letter has also been sent to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.
Gill George from Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Defend Our NHS has been a vocal critic of the move, and has urged the public to turn out and support the campaign for Shropdoc to continue as the county's out of hours provider.
She said: "Join us at the Guildhall on Thursday morning. Let’s get the message out there loud and clear, 'hands off our Shropdoc'."
During the council meeting, two councillors - Bernie Bentick and Julia Evans - will introduce a motion to highlight their concerns over the issue.
Councillor Evans from the Shrewsbury Green Party added: "Shropdoc is such an important service for residents. It’s the first port of call for people in pain or parents with sick children in the middle of the night and at weekends. Shropdoc has been doing a brilliant job for three decades with huge patient satisfaction.
"Removing Shropdoc, and all its local knowledge, will be like taking a sledgehammer to our local NHS. If we don’t make a fuss, it will be sold off quietly behind everyone’s backs. We can’t let that happen."
