A FORMER Halstead GP has defended the town’s surgery, claiming the issues residents face are national problems, rather than local issues.

Shan Newhouse, of Sible Hedingham, spent 15 years as a GP at Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, and believes the issues faced by GPs are caused by decisions being made on a financial and political basis.

Residents say they often struggle to get appointments at Halstead’s surgery, but Shan believes these issues are out of their control.

Shan, 61, said: “You cannot blame Elizabeth Courtauld for the issues they have, and I think very few people do blame them, no-one I have spoken to has complained about the doctors.

“GPs are under enormous strain, and it is because of austerity and cuts being made to our NHS for the wrong reasons.”

Broomfield Hospital’s A&E department could be downgraded is part of reforms to create one main centre in mid and south Essex, potentially at Basildon.

Mrs Newhouse believes this could be detrimental to people in Halstead who need emergency care.

She added: “The idea of downgrading Broomfield A&E is very worrying.

“To think about travelling from Halstead to Basildon for accident and emergency is not a nice thought at all.

“Downgrading an A&E creates even more issues for the hospital.

“It becomes more and more difficult to hire doctors and nurses in a general hospital, because doctors want to work on the front line. It is a precursor for further downgrades and leads to a vicious cycle.

“Improving Basildon to a high quality A&E is not an argument because it will be too busy to matter.

“Heart attacks and strokes need to be actively managed as emergencies.

“In these situations you have a golden hour, where the treatment the patient receives could be lifesaving.

People will not make it to A&E within that hour.

“These cutbacks are because of austerity and the state are squeezing medical services to breaking point.”

The former GP, with 30 years experience as a doctor, called for changes to be made to the NHS system, but wants to see these made for the right reasons.

Shan also praised the NHS as an historic creation, another reason why it should be preserved.

She said: “I am not against changes being made.

“A lot of changes are needed, but they need to be supported by thorough research. We are an ageing population and it is important we maintain these services because we will all need them.

“We have known about our demographic time bomb for 50 years and have been talking about it for at least 20, but nothing has been done.

“NHS is the best thing mankind has ever done, it is ethical.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, stupid or bright, we will all chip in and assure everyone gets the care they need.”

Shan attended the national march on March 4 through London, a protest which was mirrored in Halstead.

She has also teamed up with residents to create ‘Support the NHS Halstead’.

Visit www.facebook.com/SupporttheNHShalstead