Replacement Whitchurch GP surgery opens - video and pictures

The Claypit Street Medical Practice in Whitchurch will operate for the next 18 months.

Following the closure of the town's Richmond House surgery, Shropdoc has taken on the contract of the new surgery, ensuring all patients affected have the option to be taken on by the new practice.

Senior members of Shropdoc, supported by Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Shropshire councillor for Whitchurch Gerald Dakin, celebrated the opening of the practice, which will be based in the grounds of the town's community hospital, at an event yesterday.

Daniel Robinson, senior project manager at Shropdoc, said existing GPs will be supporting the handover period and Shropdoc was working with them on longer-term plans.

The uncertainty over where the patients would end up after the Richmond House surgery closed last week had caused outrage in the town.

The temporary surgery will operate from Beech Ward at Whitchurch Community Hospital for the next 18 months.

It comes after previous moves to find a private provider to run the service collapsed.

Dr Martin Sullivan, who had been at Richmond House for five and half years, will be the only doctor initially transferring to the new practice.

He will join two permanent Shropdoc GPs and one urgent care practitioner.

He said: "For Whitchurch as a whole I think this is some form of a solution. The ideal solution would be for all three surgeries in Whitchurch to work together and provide a service to patients.

"It is better than the alternatives and therefore I am going to remain positive about making this work and make it as good as it can be.

"We have been fortunate that the CCG has supported the move but it has been a lot of work for the staff.

"I want to thank the patients for all their support, councillors, politicians and some of NHS management. We will work together because long term we need to put something in place for the whole of the town."

The uncertainty over where the patients would end up after the Richmond House surgery closed last week had caused outrage in the town.

Former town mayor Rob Hewson, who helped organise a recent protest outside the surgery, said he was pleased with the new surgery.

He said: "I think it is a fantastic place and looks very impressive. In a short time they have done some great work.

"It is great some of the staff from Richmond House have moved over as well.."

Councillor Gerald Dakin, Shropshire councillor for Whitchurch South, said a permanent solution needs to be found soon.