WORK to reopen Emersons Green Medical Centre still has no starting date – with funding for required repairs yet to be agreed.
The medical centre in St Luke’s Close, which has more than 11,000 patients on its books, shut suddenly in October 2024 when the heating and hot water system failed.
Green Valleys Health, which runs the surgery, said the closure was temporary. A year later it sent a letter telling South Gloucestershire Council health scrutiny committee members that work would start later that month or in November, and take six weeks “subject to parts availability”.
But the partnership also said it was “looking for the relevant budget” to fund the work – and so far no agreement has been reached with the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board about where the money will come from.
Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Claire Hazelgrove, whose constituency includes the building, wrote in February that she had met with both Green Valleys Health and the ICB.
She said: “As there is not yet a confirmed plan in place, I requested to meet with Green Valleys Health to sit down and discuss progress and next steps.
“The team have now obtained the quotes needed for the work, and have applied to the ICB for funding.
“There are, rightly, checks and balances in place so these are under way before any final decision.
“They hope to have this soon.”
Ms Hazelgrove said she hoped the closure could finally be resolved now “joint steps” are being taken to consider funding options.
She added: “It will also be important for lessons to be learned from this to help avoid such significant delays anywhere in our community in future, where issues arise leading to more limited access to care.”
Green Valleys managing partner Maria Hartnell said: “Green Valleys Health has instructed and received surveys regarding the work that needs to be undertaken at Emersons Green.
“Detailed reports about the infrastructure, and the work needed to reopen the building, have been produced and have been viewed by the ICB.
“The practice has received quotes from contractors to carry out the work necessary to ensure the safety of the building such as the installation of a new boiler.”
She said the group was “aware of the challenges” posed by the closure and is still maintaining the same service to patients via Leap Valley surgery in Downend and Abbotswood in Yate, with the ICB providing “advice”.
However the ICB has not committed to funding repairs to the surgery.
A spokesperson told the Voice: “Green Valleys Health continues to keep the ICB updated on the developments on the temporary closure of Emersons Green Medical Centre.
“It is the responsibility of the provider to ensure the upkeep of the building and provide health services from the premises.”
MP writes: Page 19