News Pick up help


A NEW “good neighbour” scheme is helping vulnerable peo- ple attendmedical appointments. TheThree SuttonsHelpline – for


peoplewho do not have transport or are unable to use public trans- port – covers the villages and sur- geries in Sutton Valence, Chart Sutton, East Sutton, Kingswood and Langely. To use the scheme call 01622 844301 or 01622 842530.


Harp history


THE history of the harp is the sub- ject for the Arts Society of Mid Kent’s talk on June 25 at Sutton Valence village hall, when the speakerwill be SarahDeere-Jones. The talk, which is open to non


members for £5 (available from John Holley on 01622 880352), starts at 10.45am. Details: www. theartssocietymidkent.org.uk.


Free event


NATIONAL Armed Forces Day will be celebrated at Headcorn Aerodrome on June 29. The free event is from 10am to 4pm. De- tails: www.headcornevents.co.uk


downsmail.co.uk


GP surgeries call off plans for amerger


A PLANNED merger be- tweentheOrchardSurgery in Langley and the Sutton Valence Group Practice has been cancelled. Dr Rita Codlin has de-


cided to take on the role as head GP at the Orchard Surgery when current leader Dr Jackie Dennison retires. A sign in the door of the


Horseshoes Lane surgery told pa- tients: “This means that the pro- posedmergerwith SuttonValence in October will not take place, al- though as part of the newPrimary CareNetworkwewill continue to work closelywith them. “Many of you know Dr Codlin


andwillwelcome her decision.” DrDennison steps down this au-


tumnafternineyears at the surgery. There is anationwide shortage of


doctorswilling to becomeGPs, cit- ing patient lists and heavy work-


loads as reasons to deter them. The surgery, which holds a


“good” ratingwith the CareQual- ity Commission, currently has 3,500patients andhas not accepted newones since last year. It contin- ues to have a longwaiting list. WithMaidstone BoroughCoun-


cil’smassive programme of house- building starting to take hold, possible plans for thousandsmore homes in the immediate catchment may not be serviced by the Or- chard Surgery alone.


tients will be looking for a local


building is completedonde- velopments in Langley, and threemore newsites on the A274. The Langley Park devel-


opment does include provi- sion for a modest medical practice, but there are fears this will be insufficient to


meet demand in the area. Service providers in both Sutton


Valence and Langley have indi- cated there will be a need for a new, purpose-built surgery in the next five years. When DownsMail reported the


decision to merge a few months ago, the practice manager Jo Palmer saidproblemswith recruit- ing GPs could have forced the clo- sure of the surgery but a merger with SuttonValence itwould have meant “ business as usual.”


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24 Maidstone Weald June 2019


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