Following on from previous communications regarding the proposed closure of the Westbourne Branch Surgery located at The Square, Westbourne PO10 8UE, we wish to inform you that the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) have given approval to close the Westbourne Surgery on 31st July 2025.
We have held two public events and, in addition, a GP, manager and members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) attended a Westbourne Parish Council meeting to answer questions and address any concerns.
Our Vision
Our vision for the future is to have the entire Emsworth Medical Practice team working from one location which will be more effective, efficient and safer for patients.
The reasons for the closure have been previously outlined and are listed below:
- We now have the benefit of our main site, a £4.4 million, modern, fully equipped, purpose-built building in Emsworth located only 1.3 miles from the Westbourne Branch Surgery.
- We have the latest medical equipment needed at the Emsworth site which isn’t replicated at the smaller branch surgery.
- We benefit from having the whole practice team at the Emsworth site, which includes our GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Health Care Assistants and Phlebotomists and office staff all working from the same building.
- In addition to the practice team, we also have our Primary Care Network (PCN) team working from the main site at Emsworth and they include the Pharmacy team, a Physiotherapist, Mind workers and Midwife so that all patient services can be delivered from one site.
We understand that one of the major concerns from those patients living in and around Westbourne is the lack of transport options from Westbourne to the Emsworth Medical Practice main site. We do understand and hear your concerns, and you can view the transport options to the residents of Westbourne here.
Please note that the practice will accommodate GP and nurse appointments around the bus times wherever possible.
There are disabled parking spaces at the front of the Emsworth main surgery and both the MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, and our PPG have been in touch with Havant Borough Council to request additional disabled parking in the car park adjacent to the main Emsworth surgery and a break in the wall which divides the car park and the surgery, to provide a walkway through to the main entrance.
The practice loans out wheelchairs to help those patients who are less mobile when attending the surgery.
All of the rooms at the Emsworth site are very accessible and there is also a lift in the building.
We would like to take this opportunity to make you aware that you can contact the surgery by telephone, our receptionists will be happy to help you, or online, or by visiting the Practice in person. If there is a queue on the telephone you will be given the option of a call back so that you do not have to hold on the line and you will not usually have to hold on for long. We want to reassure you that we are constantly working hard to improve access for patients and so please do feed back any issues you may encounter.
We understand that any change may raise concerns and we are committed to providing transparent communication and support throughout this process. We value the trust and confidence you have placed in us, and we remain dedicated to serving you with compassion, integrity, and excellence in healthcare.
We know change can bring a level of uncertainty, but we also hope it can bring a level of security by futureproofing our services as we transition to providing a more responsive and resilient modern General Practice.
Dr A Slingsby & Partners
Emsworth Medical Practice
July 2025