The decision to close three Nidderdale surgeries on the day of the group practice manager’s funeral this week has generated controversy.

Pat Berriman was close to retirement after 21 years’ service at Nidderdale Group Practice when she died suddenly. Hundreds of people attended her funeral at Stonefall Crematorium in Harrogate at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

All three surgeries in the practice — Feastfield Medical Centre in Pateley Bridge, The Grange Medical Centre at Dacre Banks and Spring Gables Surgery at Birstwith Grange — closed for the day to allow staff to attend.

One patient told the Stray Ferret she was “astonished” to hear a recorded message when she tried to book an appointment on the day of the funeral saying the practice was closed. The woman, who asked not to be named, said:

“I am known to be an empathetic and reasonable person, having spent 20 years myself working in an inner city stressful front-line public service.

“But am I being unreasonable when I say I am dumbfounded, astonished and, the more I think about it, incensed with the decision made to close all three medical centres across the whole of Nidderdale, all day?”

She added:

“Yes, the practice manager was, I have heard, a long-standing, dedicated and much respected member of staff who died suddenly. And I understand that staff would want to attend her funeral. But all staff, all day?

“There being no NHS primary care provision from the three medical centres in person or on the telephone, on the first day after a long bank holiday weekend, in the current NHS crisis is ludicrous.”

Feastfield Medical Centre

The patient said the surgery was extra busy on Wednesday due to the backlog and she saw one elderly man leave without his prescription because it wasn’t ready due to the surgery being closed since Friday.

The woman said:

“The service provided… by the Nidderdale Group Practice fell far short of what is expected by a front line service.”

‘A most unsatisfactory situation’

Tom Watson, a Liberal Democrat who represents Nidd Valley on Harrogate Borough Council, said it was a “most unsatisfactory situation”. He added:

“I am in agreement that adequate medical cover should have been provided by the group practice, particularly after the extended period of closure and/or reduced service provided as a result of the Christmas/New Year period.”

Cllr Watson said it was a matter for NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group rather than the council and he would bring up the subject when he next attended a North Yorkshire health scrutiny committee meeting.

‘Sometimes even the NHS needs to pause’

The Stray Ferret asked the medical group to respond to the concerns.

It said in a statement:

“We the team at Nidderdale Group Practice sadly and unexpectedly lost our wonderful practice manager, Pat Berriman, on December 5.

“Pat, well respected by colleagues and patients alike, was about to retire after 21 years of dedicated service at the practice. The majority of Pat’s working life was spent doing all she could for patients and staff, during some incredibly challenging times for the NHS.

“The loss came as a huge blow to us as her ‘work-family’. Her funeral was held at 12.30pm on January 3 at Harrogate crematorium, several hundred family, staff and former colleagues — many of whom live more than an hour away — attended to pay their final respects and celebrate the life of this kind, professional, selfless lady. Many of us are still coming to terms with our loss.

“Closing the surgery to pause and come together like this was not done lightly. Closure of the surgery for such a pivotal staff member as a practice manager or GP partner is NHS England’s recommended policy, to allow staff to grieve together.

“The closure was supported by the Integrated Care Board, with whom the practice collaborated closely to ensure adequate GP cover was in place. Likewise temporary closure in these circumstances is actively encouraged by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

“Three GPs were engaged to take urgent calls for the day of Pat’s funeral and our answerphone message clearly signposted patients to call 111 to speak with one of the doctors should their matter be medically urgent.

“We’re sorry that a patient has felt moved to complain about our temporary closure but we can assure them that adequate medical cover was in place and, sometimes, even the NHS needs to pause.”