Search for building to house at-risk Whitchurch surgery

Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group says it is currently looking for premises to house Richmond House surgery in Whitchurch once its lease is up.

It is also hoped a group of clinicians will come forward to run the Station Road surgery, which has about 4,000 patients on its books, after its lease runs out in October.

Shropshire CCG has been seeking expressions of interest from local providers to deliver medical services under "caretaker arrangements".

Officials said these would allow primary care medical services to continue to be delivered to patients for a minimum of 18 months until a long-term service delivery can be completed.

Christine Morris, director for primary care and quality at Shropshire CCG, said: "The CCG, with NHS England, have commenced a procurement process to seek a new provider of service for the Whitchurch patient population.

"It is encouraging that there have been expressions of interest in this contract and an invitation to tender process, in line with NHS procurement, is now in place.

"This procurement is moving at pace as timelines are extremely challenging to ensure provision of a new service for November 1. Premises options continue to be progressed with the support of NHS property Services."

"This procurement is moving at pace as timelines are extremely challenging to ensure provision of a new service for November 1.

"Premises options continue to be progressed with the support of NHS property Services.

"New premises will pose an unplanned financial pressure for the CCG.

"There are frequent media and patient queries about this change and it clear this is of concern to patients currently registered with the Richmond House practice.

"Once the CCG is in a position to communicate options and choices to the registered patients this will be undertaken jointly with NHS England.

"The CCG communications and engagement leads are responding to individuals concerns and queries and liaising with groups as required in the meantime."

Previously health bosses have said plans were being developed with all three of the town's GP practices – Richmond House, Dodington and Bridgewater – to ensure that local people continue to have access to a GP in Whitchurch now and in the future.

It had been hoped Richmond House would merge with Bridgewater Medical Practice to form a GP hub at the town's community hospital in Claypit Street.

But the project, which had received a £2 million grant from the Government, did not progress quickly enough for the move to be made later this year when Richmond House's lease on its Station Road home runs out.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has voiced his concerns about the tight time scale to sort the issue.

He said: "This is not acceptable. It has been brewing since last year and time is running out.

"It has to be sorted soon as it affects more than 4,000 patients."

Any patients who wish to be kept informed of future development should contact Shropshire CCG on SHRccg.customercare@nhs.net, or by calling 0800 032 0897.