MORE than 3,000 patients at two GP surgeries in Brierley and Shafton have been left in a 'state of panic' after being asked to consider the permanent closure of two GP surgeries in the area.
Brierley Medical Centre - which has been put up for sale by owner Dr Magdi Selim - and its now-closed Shafton branch's patients have been urged to take part in a survey commissioned by the Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The Chronicle can reveal that the CCG has identified three options which are being considered for the future including the commissioning - or purchase - of permanent services in Brierley and Shafton, a Brierley-only alternative where the Shafton branch would permanently close, or that both close and nearby practices take on the existing 3,278 patients.
If both are closed, five other surgeries - all within two miles of Brierley Medical Centre - in Cudworth, Hemsworth, Grimethorpe and Shafton have been identified as possible alternatives.
Drop-in sessions have been organised by the CCG in an effort to alleviate patients' fears, and will startion Monday at Shafton Community Centre from 9.30am until 12.30pm, before two events at Brierley Methodist Church on August 14 and August 18.
