We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience.
By using this site, you agree that we may store and access cookies on your device. Cookie policy.
Cookie settings.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies are enabled by default at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings and ensure site works and delivers best experience.
3rd Party Cookies
This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.
Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.
Proposed Rowe Avenue Surgery Branch Closure
Proposed Rowe Avenue Surgery Branch Closure
Q1. When might you close the Rowe Avenue building?
A. The Havens Health GP Practice is applying to NHS Sussex to close the Rowe Avenue site from 1st April 2026.
Q2. If you close the Rowe Avenue site, will I have to register at another GP Practice?
A. No, you do not need to re-register. If you normally attend the Rowe Avenue Branch Site you are registered with Havens Health GP Practice and can already access services at The Anchor Healthcare Centre.
Q3. What if I don’t want to remain as a patient as a result of the Rowe Avenue site being closed?
A. If you do not want to remain a patient of Havens Health GP Practice, you can choose to register at another local practice that is taking on patients. You can find information about other practices in the area here.
Q4. Will I be able to see the same doctor, nurse or other clinician that I usually see?
A. Yes. Continuity will be unaffected. Patients can continue to see the clinician of their choice, dependant on availability.
Q5. Will you still be doing home visits?
A. Yes. Housebound patients who are eligible to receive home visits will continue to do so, this includes receiving flu and Covid vaccinations at home.
Q6. What are the benefits of closing the Branch Surgery?
A. There are several:
- There will be less confusion for you about where your appointment is
- All surgery services and departments will be on one site – if the doctor or nurse feels you need to see another clinician, they will be available on site, immediately
- There will be more support for our staff – resulting in a better patient experience
- There is poor access at Rowe Avenue for patients (and staff) with mobility limitations
- The lease at the Rowe Avenue site is due to expire shortly
- Providing services at two sites, only half a mile apart is expensive. This is because both sites need to be staffed, and the property needs to be run and maintained. Less money spent on property maintenance and services will mean more funds for patient care (The Branch Surgery needs a lot of improvements to meet current standards for general practice.
The site is however totally safe and is completely suitable for other healthcare services)
Q7. Will there be enough space at the Main Surgery with the Branch closure?
A. Yes. The Practice will take over rooms at The Anchor Healthcare Centre which they don’t currently rent. In time, Havens Health GP Practice will have 10 extra consulting rooms at the Main Surgery. This is more than enough for the needs of the surgery at the moment.
Q8. Won’t the Practice need the space at Rowe Avenue in the next few years?
A. Quite possibly, yes!
- The number of patients registered with the Practice has risen over the years. If it continues to rise at its present rate, and with the continued development in the town this is quite likely, then, within 5 years the Practice will have almost 20,000 patients.
- We all know there is lots of pressure on hospital services. To help hospitals, the NHS asks GPs to take on an increasing number of services.
- More and more doctors and nurses need to be trained to help the NHS cope with the demands of modern day healthcare. Havens Health GP Practice has 7 GP Trainers as well as Nurse Educators.
Over the next few years more doctors and nurses at the Practice will become trainers, and we will teach more medical and nursing students, recently qualified nurses and Junior Doctors. In as little as 5 years, these 3 changes could mean that the Main Surgery will be too small for the needs of the Practice.
Q9. Can’t the Practice just continue to use the Branch Site until you need it for GP Services again?
A. The Practice cannot afford to run 2 buildings if the buildings are not fully funded by the NHS. The NHS rules, that say how many rooms a GP Practice can have, only take into account the number of patients who are registered with the Surgery NOW. The rules do not consider what is likely to happen in the next few months or years. It might be possible for other health care services to work there, but not under the supervision of the Practice.
Q10. What will happen with the Rowe Avenue building if it closes?
A. The building is not owned by the Practice, but by another company. This company will decide the future use of the Branch Site. The landlord wants to use the building for healthcare. It could be used by other local NHS Services. These include the Pain Clinic, Diabetes Service, several Mental Health providers, an Ultrasound service, and the local District Nursing Team. But the landlord may decide to convert the Branch Surgery to houses or flats.
Q11. Will any Practice Services stop if the Rowe Avenue site closes?
A. No. All services will continue, but will be run from the Main Surgery.
Q13. How will I know the results of this survey?
A. We really want to know what you think about the likely closure of the Rowe Avenue site. We will feed back the results of the survey to NHS Sussex. Results will also be put up in the waiting rooms and will be available on the website.
Published: Jul 24, 2025