Closure of the Portland Branch Site located at Newland Health Centre, 34 Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1XP
Following our recent public consultation exercise, our proposal to close the Portland Branch Site at Newland has been approved by the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)*. The site will close on Tuesday 24 June 2025.
This decision was not made lightly and followed a comprehensive review process. Our primary goal has always been to provide the highest quality care to our patients.
We would like to thank all our patients who took the time to respond to our request for feedback and those who attended our patient engagement events. Your input has been invaluable in shaping our future services.
Key reasons for closure
- Limited services available at the Portland Branch Site create inequalities compared to other practices.
- Nearby sites offer a wider range of services, better facilities, and improved accessibility.
- Most HLMG patients already use alternative sites for their appointments.
- Rising service and utility costs have made the site financially unsustainable.
Alternative Arrangements
Patients currently registered at HLMG who use services at the Portland Branch Site will continue to have access to care at Portland Medical Practice and University of Lincoln Health Services, both located within half a mile, and Newark Road Surgery, located approximately 3 miles away. All sites have strong public transport links.
Your registration with Heart of Lincoln Medical Group will remain unaffected, and our staff hope that you will continue to receive care at our alternative sites. Details of the addresses, contact information, and opening hours of these sites are available on our practice websites:
www.portlandmedicalpractice.com
For patients who experience difficulties using online services for ordering prescriptions and cannot feasibly make their way to the surgery to drop off prescription requests, please contact us and speak to our prescriptions team so we can discuss possible alternatives.
If you wish to register with a different practice, you are free to do so. Further details of the process are provided in our Frequently Asked Questions below.
We understand that this news may bring about questions and concerns, and we are here to support you throughout this transition. If you have any queries, please contact the practice.
*Integrated Care Board - the statutory organisation responsible for bringing the NHS together locally to improve population health and establish shared strategic priorities within the NHS.
If you would like to request information in alternative formats, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) by telephone at 0300 123 9553 or by email at LHNT.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Listed below is a number of FAQs that are provided to answer any potential queries patients may have. Any further queries should be directed to the practice.
Why are we closing the Portland Branch Site located at Newland Health Centre?
- Limited services available at the Portland Branch Site create inequalities compared to other practices.
- Nearby sites offer a wider range of services, better facilities, and improved accessibility.
- Most HLMG patients already use alternative sites for their appointments.
- Rising service and utility costs have made the site financially unsustainable.
Our proposal to close the site has been accepted by the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the site will close on Tuesday 24 June 2024
Who is NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)?
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), previously known as NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group), is the commissioner and are the statutory organisation responsible for bringing the NHS together locally to improve population health and establish shared strategic priorities within the NHS.
What alternative arrangements will be in place when the site closes?
Patients currently registered at Heart of Lincoln Medical Group (HLMG) who use services at the Portland Branch Site would continue to have access to care at Portland Medical Practice and University of Lincoln Health Services, both located within half a mile, and Newark Road Surgery, located approximately 3 miles away.
How would I get to the other sites if I don’t own a car?
University of Lincoln Medical Services – 0.4 mile from Newland less than a 10 minute walk, 5–6 minute drive or 5–6 minute bus ride. Costing around £1.10 or 55p for a job seeker ticket. With a bus from the stop opposite Newland going to a stop opposite the campus and a 5-minute walk to the practice every 15-20 minutes.
Portland Medical Practice - 0.5 mile from Newland and a 14 minute walk, 6 minute drive or 10 minute bus ride. Costing around £1.10 or 55p for a job seeker ticket. Buses every 10 mins from the stop opposite Newland to the stop at the entrance to Portland car park (2 minute walk) to the practice door
Newark Road Surgery - 3.2 miles from Newland a 12 minute drive or around 16 minute bus ride. Costing around £3.00 each way, less with concession passes or job seeker ticket. There is a bus stop opposite Newland Health Centre going on to stop outside The Coach House at Boultham Moor approximately 4 minute walk from the surgery.
This information is averaged from operator websites and current timetables, they may of course be subject to change. Operators are Stagecoach and PC Coaches For service updates and advice call 0871 200 2233 or visit the Lincolnshire County Council website.
Taxis are also an option and there are 3 firms operating in Lincoln City Centre:
- JB Cabs 01522 826690
- Handsome Cabs 01522 545352
- Direct Cars Lincoln Taxis 01522 567567
There is also a large Taxi Rank outside Lincoln Central Station which is a 6 minute walk from Portland Medical Practice.
Will the number of staff be reduced?
All current clinical and reception staff will continue and be based at the other sites.
How will I order prescriptions?
For patients who experience difficulties using online services for ordering prescriptions and cannot feasibly make their way to the surgery to drop off prescription requests, please contact us and speak to our prescriptions team so we can discuss possible alternatives.
I receive home visits and live closer to the Portland Branch site, will this still happen if the Branch Site closes?
There will be no change to any housebound patients or how we provide their home visits.
Will online services continue?
Yes, online services will continue, On Thursday, April 24, 2025, we introduced a new online system called Anima for requesting appointments or asking questions. This has replaced EConsult. The best way to request an appointment is online using Anima, as it gives us more information and helps keep phone lines open for patients who need to talk to a receptionist. If you can't use the internet or aren't comfortable with it, you can still call reception to make a request. All requests will be reviewed and triaged by a member of the clinical team. For more information and details of how it works please visit: Anima Triage System: Lincoln Healthcare Partnership
Will this affect any treatment or medication I am currently receiving?
No, any current treatment or medication you are receiving will not be affected.
Will the practice boundary change?
No the boundary will not change.
What about patient choice, can I choose to register at another practice?
Patients are permitted to change GPs for any reason at any time. There are restrictions to this choice and patients must reside within the practice boundary. The area is well served by other local practices whose practice areas overlap with ours, often within walking distance for our patients: Brayford Medical Practice which is in the same building on the ground floor. Lindum Medical Practice and Minster Medical both share a building that is 7 minutes away from Newland by car and 20 minutes by bus and around 20 minutes walk, and Cliff House which is 1 mile away, 5 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bus and 20 minutes walk.
Do I need to do anything?
You should continue to access services at the surgery as normal. The branch site will close on 24 June 2025. The closure of the branch will not affect your registration with HLMG and staff very much hope that you will remain as a patient. If you register at another practice your care and appointments at the practice will cease. All correspondence regarding referrals will be sent to your new GP practice. Any referrals that have been made for appointments i.e. acute hospital (United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals will be unaffected).
Will this affect any treatment or medication I am currently receiving?
No, any current treatment or medication you are receiving will not be affected.