Doctor’s surgery in Silverdale
The Parish Council has had several letters, and comments have been made by members of the public at council meetings regarding the availability of services in Silverdale by Ash Trees Surgery. Many longer-term residents will recall the surgery being open on several days of the week: a service that has declined in recent years. Concerns have also been expressed about the pharmacy and its ability to survive should the surgery cease to operate.
As councillors and residents of the village, we are well aware of the difficulties in getting appointments and often being offered GP appointments away from the village. This scenario is fine if someone has transport, but that is not always the case. Similarly, this paints a dark future for the surgery in Silverdale as the less it is used, the more there is a possibility of permanent closure — a situation which would be more devastating for the village and the pharmacy.
The council has written to Ash Trees regarding these issues on Two occasions — and received a reply which did not resolve the matter. In April, the council again wrote to Ash Trees inviting them to a public meeting on 26 June. A further reminder was sent on 6 June but, to date, there has been no response, and the public meeting is deferred.
Those who use the services of Ash Trees will recall that feedback is often requested after an appointment, and there is an expression of promoting public engagement by the surgery.
Rest assured that the Parish Council will continue to attempt to engage with Ash Trees and arrange another public meeting in the near future. In the meantime, residents may wish to make their own voices heard about the situation.
-Terry Bond, Chair, Silverdale Parish Council