WHITTLESEY residents will not be forced to travel to Doddington to use the out of hours GP service it has been decided.

The announcement comes after strong opposition to the plan which would see patients no longer able to use the Peterborough Walk-in Centre.

A petition against the move has been signed by patients at the Queen Street Surgery and Councillor Martin Curtis also opposed the change.

Cllr Curtis said: “I have been given a reassurance that Whittlesey residents will not be forced to use any service they didn’t want to. That is good news.

“However, if it is someone living in Turves, for example, they might want to use Doddington, but from the Whittlesey perspective it is easier to go to Peterborough.” Cllr Curtis said: “We are well served out of hours by Peterborough. It is accessible, including by public transport over the weekend, and it is not difficult for their doctors to get to Whittlesey if they need to.”

He has also expressed opposition to a suggestion that callers should be referred to the triage system at Doddington for telephone consultation, but then for patients to have the option of going to Peterborough if they need to see someone.

He said: “My own view is this is over complicated and that patients benefit from using the service with whom they had the initial telephone conversation.”

In Chatteris patients at The George Clare Surgery are being encouraged to voice their opposition to changes being made to its appointment system.

First thing in the morning patients have been allowed to turn up and wait for an appointment to see a doctor but that system is due to change in October when patients must have an appointment.

The George Clare Patients Group wants to hear from those against the change and if there is enough opposition then a public meeting will be held and the doctors invited to go along.

Chatteris Councillor Florence Newell said: “The system has worked as it is for years without any problems. As far as I can tell Chatteris people want it to continue as it is.”

Anyone who wishes to express a view should write to: George Clare Patients Group, 138 London Road, Chatteris. PE16 6SG or email gcpatients@gmail.com