4,000 patients affected as doctor quits health centre
Last updated 12:09, Saturday, 20 September 2008
PATIENTS at Ulverston Community Health Centre were shocked to read on the information board that their doctor had walked out.
Dr Henry Hart, of Bayside Family Practice, left without notice on Wednesday morning.
He told staff his treatment by Cumbria Primary Care Trust – the body that oversees doctors surgeries – had made his position untenable.
The 44-year-old, whose practice is responsible for some 4,000 patients in the area, went on to add he could no longer put up with frictions between himself and other doctors based at Ulverston Community Health Centre.
Many patients were left with no appointment as staff attempted to rebook appointments or fit more urgent cases in with other doctors or the practice nurse.
One, who attended for an appointment yesterday, and who did not want to be named, said notices had been placed on chairs in the waiting area while a moving message screen also stated Dr Hart had left the practice.
The patient said: “The notices and digital display both apologised and said Dr Hart was unable to continue to see patients because the situation with the other practices at the health centre was intolerable. It’s a shame because he was a good doctor. There must have been a falling out.”
Practice manager and Dr Hart’s wife, Carole Hart, told the Evening Mail she had since been suspended from the centre over the message to patients.
Mrs Hart explained: “Dr Hart has left the practice and is not coming back. This is due to pressure from the PCT and tensions with other GPs at the health centre. The situation has escalated and he feels he can no longer remain at the practice.
“We wanted to inform patients that Dr Hart had left for a reason, but the PCT were unhappy with this.”
Dr Hart took over Bayside Family Practice in 2004. He had previously worked as a locum doctor in the area as well as seeing practice in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Attempts to find a permanent partner to share his workload at Bayside have been unsuccessful.
A spokesman for Cumbria PCT said a locum doctor had now been found to take over the surgery until more permanent arrangements could be made.
He said: “The doctor in question chose to leave the practice without prior notice. The PCT has arranged locum cover at the practice to ensure patient disruption is kept to a minimum.”
On Mrs Hart’s suspension, the spokesman added: “The PCT does not employ the practice manager. The manager is employed by the practice.”
