'˜We'll fight to keep our clinic' say Leeds residents

Dozens of people turned out for the meeting at Garforth Miners’ Welfare Hall seeking answers regarding the decision to shut the Lidgett Lane-based clinic.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and the NHS Leeds South and East Clinical Commissioning Group.

Coun Mark Dobson (Lab, Garforth & Swillington), was left disappointed by what he called “a lack of clarity” from the NHS representatives on issues such as plans for the future use of the clinic site if it remained closed.

But he also said there was a real determination in the room to carry on the push for the clinic to reopen.

Campaigners are now planning to make their case at a public meeting of the board of directors of the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust early next month.

Coun Dobson told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “There was a definite sense of ‘yes, we will continue to fight to keep the clinic alive’.

“We have already picketed the trust’s offices in Headingley and we are prepared to do that again and again so this situation stays at the forefront of people’s minds.”

As previously reported by the YEP, the clinic closed its doors at the start of this year. NHS chiefs have said patients are able to access the same services at clinics in places such as Kippax, Halton and Seacroft. But residents have worries over issues such as “inadequate” parking at Kippax and accessibility problems for people who rely on public transport.The decision to shut Garforth Clinic followed a 12-week engagement period during which feedback was sought on the closure plan.

Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the reopening of the clinic.