News


Practice fails to replaceGP


SURGERY managers have re- vealed their initial attempts to re- cruit a new GP have fallen on stony ground, as their remaining doctors battle with increased workloads. Snodland Medical Practice had


beenhoping to recover itsnumbers after the departure of Dr David Colin-Jones inDecember. In amessage to patients, practice


manager Julie Tullett said: “We are seeking a replacement but,due to a national shortage of GPs, our first recruitment drive was unsuccess- ful. We have now re-advertised this position and hope to be suc- cessful second time around.” The national GP shortage is


being driven by a number of fac- tors, chiefly would-be doctors being deterred from joining, and establishedGPs retiring early. “We are desperately trying to


retain our remaining GPs by avoiding excessive work over-


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load,” she said. The surgery’s admission had


been prompted by concerns from patients that they were being as- signed to a combination of the practice’s sixdoctorswhenmaking an appointment, rather than hav- ing one point of contact. Miss Tullett said: “The current


allocation of patients is an interim situation,whichwe shall resolve in the next three to fourmonths. “Until then,wewould like to re-


assure you that the partners at SnodlandMedical Practice are col- lectively accountable for every pa- tient at the practice and are monitoring the situation closely.” She added that, during the tran-


sitionalperiodfollowingDrColin- Jones’ departure, the surgery had “secured the help of a few quali- fiedlocums tomanage thedemand for appointments”. DownsMail contacted the prac- tice for comment.


downsmail.co.uk Car thefts warning


KENT Police investigating reported thefts fromcars inHolborough have released CCTV images of someone they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.


Between 1am and 2am on


Wednesday, January 30, two cars in Primrose Close and two addi- tional vehicles inManley Boulevard were entered and loose change was stolen. Investigators say they have car-


ried out a number of enquiries and obtained CCTV fromnearby prem- ises. Police Sergeant Ashley Boxall, of


the Tonbridge and Malling Com- munity Safety Unit, said: “The image now being released is of someone we believe may have im- portant information that could as- sist with our investigation. “In the meantime, I would urge


vehicle owners to remove anything of value overnight and ensure nothing is left on display that might tempt an opportunist thief.” Anyone with information in rela-


tion to the incidents or the identification of the person in the CCTV image is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting reference 30-0230. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity 'Crimestop- pers in Kent', anonymously, on 0800 555111.


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