A PUBLIC consultation has been launched over controversial plans to shut a GP surgery.

Hindley Green Surgery on Atherton Road needs significant repair work, has no car park, cannot provide full access for disabled patients and does not utilise the first floor space due to steep and unsafe stairs.

Run by Dr Pye Tun and Partners, they are considering closing the branch and leaving all patients having to use their Hindley Health Centre on Liverpool Road.

Between them the two sister sites have 8,200 registered patients, with only 1,500 living nearer to Hindley Green Surgery.

A spokesman for Dr Pye Tun and Partners said: “The practice spent £20,000 on the building in 2014 to make it comply with Care Quality Commission requirements.

“Although the two consulting rooms are in good condition, a lot of repair work is needed to keep the building in a sustainable state.

“There is also repair work needed to the rooms upstairs.

“Our review of the services and building have led us to think that the most appropriate thing to do is to merge the branch surgery into the main surgery, making all services and records centralised to give better and more effective patient care.”

The Hindley Green practice cannot be closed without the approval of the NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group.

Group chairman Dr Tim Dalton, a GP, said: “Dr Tun’s practice in Hindley has informed us that it is considering closing its branch at Hindley Green.

“Patients can currently use either of its branch sites to access services. "The practice is concerned that the site at Hindley Green doesn’t have full access for disabled patients, needs significant repair work undertaking and has lots of underutilised space due to stairs that are not safe for public use.

“It does not offer a full range of services from the Hindley Green site for these reasons.

“The practice is currently consulting to understand what impact the closure of the branch site might have on its patients and is working closely with its practice patient participation group.

"The CCG will review feedback from the consultation and any evidence supplied by the practice, should it formally request to close the branch site, before coming to any decision.”

Patients have contacted the Journal to say they hope Hindley Green Surgery stays open and fear for the future of WA Salter Chemist on Atherton Road if the practice is closed.

One said: "While we agree there are more facilities at Liverpool Road, it can be difficult to get there through heavy traffic and if the switch goes ahead extra patients will mean longer waiting times for appointments and less space for car parking."

Another said: "Being elderly, my wife and I find that having this surgery near to our home is excellent.

“It is just a short walk and near to the chemist.

"We have always managed to get appointments quickly if needed and most times get to see our designated doctor, while the reception staff are very kind, considerate and helpful."

The consultation closes on Monday, December 18.

To take part in the consultation pick up a questionnaire from the practice or access it online at bit.ly/2B5e9CW.

Alternatively you can express your views by writing to Hindley Health Centre, 17 Liverpool Road, Hindley WN2 3HQ.