Wreckers target failed surgery

Brampton Medical Practice closed its doors on May 27 after its management company, Wentworth North Primary Care Group, failed to recruit enough patients and went into administration.

Patients were given just one week’s notice to register with another doctor, leaving many angry about the sudden move.

Now, the Brampton Road premises have become a target for vandals and large gangs of youths have been spotted gathering at the disused surgery.

One Brampton resident said: “I’ve seen up to 16 youngsters hanging around at the site, there’s no security there so they’ve just broken in.

“The place has been trashed. Windows and fences have been smashed, window frames ripped out and they’ve made a hole in the roof.

“They’ve even broken into a live sub-station. It’s dangerous and unless something is done, someone is going to get injured.

“It has been reported to the police by a number of people living nearby but nothing seems to be getting done.

“It is serious now. It’s been happening for about a month and before long, someone will get electrocuted.”

The Brampton health centre was based at a former school building and opened to the public two years ago.

A major scheme of refurbishment was carried out and paid for by Wentworth North who rented the building from a private landlord—who we have been unable to contact for comment.

The company had a contract with NHS Rotherham based on the number of patients registered.

Bosses there were working towards a patient list of 3,000 with an eventual total of 6,000 patients.

At the time the surgery closed, just over 1,100 patients had registered which meant that the company could not cover its costs.