Repossessed West Kirby doctors’ surgery moves into new home on Grange Road

Nov 2 2011 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

A MEDICAL practice which was evicted from its premises over a row about unpaid rent moved into a new surgery on Monday.

The Medical Centre had its building in Banks Road, West Kirby, repossessed by its landlord a week ago, forcing staff to see patients from their cars.

The surgery’s new home is at 56-60 Grange Road – although patients may initially find themselves surrounded by construction work as they wait for appointments.

A spokesman for Wirral Primary Care Trust (PCT) said: “Builders and practice staff have worked incredibly hard all week to prepare the new surgery so patients can attend appointments.

“Work will still be going on in the premises, but there will be consulting rooms and a waiting room available so the doctors and staff can continue to practise and care for patients.

“The new premises are in a better location. Grange Road was where the practice planned to move to later this year.”

The PCT said it had retrieved all medical records from the Banks Road property.

Landlord Wayne Roberts, who evicted the surgery claiming it had failed to pay rent, said he had instructed his solicitors to insist the records – which he said were kept secure – were removed.

The PCT claimed their removal was only agreed after it threatened legal action.

The row erupted last Monday (October 24) when patients were unable to see doctors in the Banks Road surgery after Mr Roberts repossessed and locked up the property.

Staff were left working from the boots of their cars, intercepting patients as they arrived for appointments and giving them letters explaining the situation.

The PCT said Mr Roberts wanted 2.6 times the original rent and later accused him of acting in an “arbitrary and reckless manner”.

But the landlord said he was not paid rent for months.