The meeting was held last Wednesday to debate proposals to close the Riversdale GP Surgery on Woodcroft Road, and move it to the Oaklands Health Centre in Prudhoe.
Arguments for the move include the building not being purpose-built, parking issues and one of the property-owning partners retiring.
The meeting was organised by Steve Grinter, chairman of the Bywell Labour Party, and was also attended by representatives from the Riversdale practice, NHS England and the Clinical Commissioning Group, who answered questions from members of the public.
Patients said travelling to Prudhoe would be difficult, even impossible, for many patients including the elderly, disabled, people on limited incomes and those without private transport.
The issue was also raised at last week’s Wylam Parish Council meeting where Coun. Jos Joures said members of the council were concerned that the closure was being proposed without looking at the health needs of the village.
But county councillor for Bywell, Coun. Karen Quinn, said: “I do feel that behind the scenes they are trying very hard to make what is probably going to happen work very well for all of their patients.”
A consultation ended on September 11, and following Wednesday’s meeting, Anne Brooks, project co-ordinator at Riversdale Surgery, said that the discussions would also form part of this.
“Transport is one of the issues and we are looking to see what, if anything, we can do about it,” she said.
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