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Front Street Surgery
Summary of the current position 9th June 2026 – discussion between Graham Auton, Parish Council Chairman and Sarah Gowers Operational Practice Manager
- It seems that the Integrated Care Board (ICB) are in the process of significant job cuts. As a result, progress has been difficult. However, several meetings and site visits have taken place at the Askham Bar facility, as we suggested. The licence for that facility is held by the Hospital Trust, and the site is owned by York City Council. The outcome of their detailed assessment will surely be disappointing, but in essence it is not feasible for a number of reasons
- The Hospital Trust were not keen to have Front Street Surgery on site
- The facilities are not licenced for Primary Care with the Care Quality Commission (who are responsible for the regulation of the facility)
- The facilities are not sufficiently adequate for FSS use, and are lacking a good deal of the features required
- The IT systems and infrastructure are specifically designed for current purpose, and any attempt to provide access for FSS would seriously compromise security
The overall outcome of their investigation is that the Askham Bar Site is not a realistic option, on the grounds of finance, logistics and practicality.
- The practice is currently preparing a planning application, and funding proposals for the proposed changes to the FSS buildings in Acomb. The intention is for 2 or 3 additional clinical treatment rooms. In the interim, they recognise that they will need overflow facilities for non-clinical appointments, so they have agreed to rent rooms from Nimbus Care at Acomb Garth. Arrangements are in place to use this facility which I understand is a 2 minute walk from FSS. ICB will be providing funding for this temporary overflow.
- As if this isn’t enough, I was also informed that funding for York Wheels Transport has now been removed, presumably by the Government, though I do know that this was a voluntary service. It will not be available for FSS.
- I asked if there was any scope for temporary extension of the lease in Copmanthorpe, which is currently due to end in September. I was told that the ICB actually had difficulty in approving the previous lease, due to the relatively poor facilities, and they had refused any further funding until significant improvements had been made. As we know, that will not be happening, so the surgery will close in September.
We requested that FSS should a full synopsis of the situation and issue this to all Copmanthorpe patients who are affected by this closure. They said that they planned to do this in the same way that they first announced the closure, that is by sending the update by post, or email.
I’m afraid that this is the position, and that the surgery will close as planned in September. It is very clear that their mind is made up, and to be honest, nothing much has changed since our meeting with them in April. I know this will be annoying, worrying and very disappointing for most of you. Unfortunately as we first suspected, finance has been a fundamental factor behind this decision, along with the stance of the ICB who have had such a significant influence. I can only report the facts, which speak for themselves.
Scam Warning!
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Next Parish Council Meeting – 14th July:
- The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 14th July from 7:30pm in Howell Hall
- There will be an interim meeting of the Planning committee on Tuesday 30th June if required