A Camber resident recently attended a meeting of the Patients Participation Group (PPG) wherein it was disclosed that Rye Medical Centre was looking to close the branch surgeries.
Having already applied to NHS England for endorsement to do so, the result being is that they will be maintaining the surgery as normal every two weeks for Camber Sands manned solely by medical practitioners rather than GPs which they have been doing since the end of the pandemic.
This might come as a surprise to many who might have no idea that there is a regular fortnightly Nurse service at Camber.
The newsletter team has spoken to dozens of Camber residents and only a handful of them knew about it. Recently, one of our team had to book a nurse appointment but, despite highlighting the difficulty to the receptionist at Rye Medical Centre about the journey from Camber, we were still not offered a Camber appointment. It is obvious that Rye Medical Centre is not actively promoting this vital service!
Further on in the PPG meeting, RMC stated that when the branch surgery is open, it is very rarely attended by more than one or two patients. The resident mentioned that maybe nobody in the village knows exactly when it will be open as it is not widely publicised, which could well be the reason for the lack of participation.
They informed RMC that the dates and opening times could be advertised in the Camber Community Newsletter and also on the notice boards outside and inside of the Memorial Hall so more people would be aware and kept informed.
The resident also made it known that if Rye Medical Centre is considering the closure of the Camber Branch Surgery, it is important that the fact should be discussed in a face-to-face forum with the local community to gauge the popularity of that proposal.
Rye Medical Centre has now provided the following information:
Rye Medical Centre Nurse/Healthcare Assistant Clinic Dates
Camber Memorial Hall
- Wednesday 12th November 2025 from 9.00 am
- Wednesday 26th November 2025 from 9.00 am (To be confirmed)
- Wednesday 10th December 2025 from 9.00am
- Wednesday 24th December 2025 from 9.00am
- Wednesday 7th January 2026 from 9.00am
Please note this is by appointment only.
Please call Rye Medical Centre Reception on 01797 223333 to book an appointment*.
*Some services or appointment types may be unavailable at the hall due to lack of equipment and/or resources
