MEDIA RELEASE - 05 JANUARY - LOCALS URGED TO ATTEND PUBLIC MEETING

LOCALS URGED TO ATTEND PUBLIC MEEETING TO SAVE ILKESTON FAMILY PRACTICE AND GP WALK IN CENTRE

Final meeting ahead of Centre’s closure in February

Locals are being urged to attend a public meeting, organised by NHS Derbyshire, regarding the closure of Ilkeston Family Practice and GP Walk In Centre. The meeting will take place at 13.30 on Tuesday 8 January at The Arena in Ilkeston. Amanda Jackson, campaign organiser said “Unfortunately, NHS Derbyshire only confirmed details on their website late on Thursday, so very few people are aware of the meeting taking place.  The centre plays a vital role to our local community and it’s important that people come along to raise their concerns to NHS Derbyshire, to help them understand why this centre must not be closed”. The closure, scheduled for 28 February 2013, was announced by local media on 27 November, with no prior consultation or communication to patients.  With more than 1,500 people registered at the GP Practice, and more than 9,000 appointments held at the Walk In Centre during the last three months, its closure will have a huge impact to Ilkeston and surrounding areas. In just six weeks, more than 2,000 people have signed a petition to save the centre, and the announcement has caused outrage amongst the local community. For further information about the meeting, people are invited to visit the campaign website which has been set up - www.saveilkestongp.co.uk which also includes details about how to sign the online petition.  Sign the online petition NOW - click herewww.ipetitions.com/petition/save-ilkeston-family-practice-and-gp-walk-in Show your support on Facebook - 'like' our page  www.facebook.com/SaveIlkestonFamilyPracticeAndGpWalkInCentre Keep up to date with latest news on Twitter - www.twitter.com/saveilkestongp