A University GP surgery with more than 12,000 patients could have its funding cut by a third.

But the University Health Centre in Huddersfield is planning a campaign to convince NHS England to reconsider its decision to cut its funding by £330,000.

And surgery staff, patients and interested parties are invited to a meeting at University Health Centre, Sand Street, on Tuesday (5.30pm).

The health centre is one of 22 Huddersfield surgeries on a personal medical services (PMS) contract which faces significant budget cuts.

But practice manager Janet Hallam says the formula NHS England uses to calculate its next wave of funding is unsuitable for an ‘atypical’ practice such as the University Health Centre.

Ms Hallam said: “According to NHS England’s own guidance they should not be applying the formula to an atypical practice if it disadvantages that particular practice’s population.”

Ms Hallam said there was a ‘train of thought’ among the NHS nationally that students, whom comprise the majority of the surgery’s patients, require less funding.

But Ms Hallam says students have different health needs.

She said: “There’s a large mental health workload.

“Some 45% of the consultations we had on one day were for mental health issues.”

Ms Hallam said: “People think everyone has a great time at university; that’s not always the case.

“There’s a bedding in period where they’re anxious and vulnerable. They don’t have the secure family and friends support network that they have at home.”

Ms Hallam added: “If the surgery’s funds were cut it would change dramatically.

“Many nurse practitioners would be be lost and we wouldn’t have as many doctors or the clinics we have currently.”

The University Health Centre is, however, planning a fightback.

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It has launched a petition against the cuts which is being promoted via flyers and plasma screens in the surgery.

You can sign the petition by visiting www.familydoctorsos.co.uk run by Dr Paul Wilding, from Slaithwaite Health Centre which also faces substantial cuts to its PMS funding.

The University Health Centre held a conference call with Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman on Monday and it is conducting a survey of its patients.

Representatives from the surgery will also be attending the #HandsOffHRI rally on February 27.

Kathryn Hilliam, Head of Co-Commissioning for NHS England (West Yorkshire) said: “The purpose of the review into funding is to support a more fair distribution of funds, ensure additional funding is linked to quality and additional services, and ensure equitable service provision for all patients.

“This practice is mainly for students who are generally healthy and the practice does not have a large number of patients with complex needs, such as the elderly, on its list.

“The practice is also one of the highest funded practices in comparison to other university practices within West Yorkshire.

“The Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS England are in discussion with the practice to agree a way forward and ensure patients continue to receive the best patient care.

“NHS England is due to meet with the practice at the end of March.”