Relocation of Surgeries -- Planning Permissions

[shan]

Hi,

Does anyone know how and from where we can obtain details of any GP/s or a Medical centre is planning to move within an area or to a different location ??? How long before they have to inform their existing patients or the other stake holders in the current locations, like pharmacies or businesses dependent on their being close to the surgery?? As this would be of great help if someone is planning to buy/ sell pharmacies as well as for locums to decide on planning their bookings/ rates ??

Any thoughtd from people who have had a go at it. I tried to mail the DOH (or DuH) weeks ago and still waiting for a reply.

Shan

[mrmeds]

we had a surgery near to us move (albeit only about 500 metres), we never heard anything official from pct, the surgery told patients and pharmacies by letter.
If a building gets planning permission for use as a surgery, then they also have permission for a dispensary. I think a lot of council planning departments probably arnt aware of that

[STC]

The local PCT or GP consortia hold that information.

[Tony Schofield]

It depends on a lot of factors. If the move is a significant one, patients will have to be consulted before it is agreed. This is a serious process and if significant numbers (I don't know what percentage) object it doesn't happen.

Planning permission is outside of the NHS process although if there are compelling reasons for a move and the planners don't like it, PCT representatives may well lobby on behalf of the surgery. As local authorities will be taking over many public health functions (for pharmacists, this means smoking cessation, drug and alcohol, EHC etc so beware. It affects us also) they will have a bigger say in GP and other primary care (including pharmacy) location. PCT staff will be TUPEd into local authorities to do this so there should be some consistency of decision making. Planning will, as always be down to the vaguaries of planners.

PCTs aren't scheduled to close until 2013 so they are still the official organ that processes these things.