New provider found for under-threat GP practice

A new company has been found to take over the running of the practice from 10 October

A new provider has been found for a GP surgery at risk of closure.

Doctors at East Barnwell Health Centre had warned they would be handing back their contract as it was financially unviable to continue.

The Cambridgeshire Integrated Care Board said they intended to award it to an alternative provider called Malling Health, which already runs seven practices.

The company will take over the running of the surgery in October if no objections are received before 16 September.

GPs at East Barnwell surgery told the BBC in July the practice had been left "financially unviable" by service charge rises of 400% in nine years, coupled with "inadequate" funding.

A statement published on the integrated care board's website said the procurement process was now complete.

The contract is scheduled to start on 10 October for an initial period of seven years.

Patients will be sent letters explaining the change but will not have to re-book existing appointments and can continue to order repeat prescriptions as normal.

Malling Health said they could not comment further until the period for objections to be raised had ended.

A spokesperson for the current GPs said they were "relieved to have confirmation of the new provider" to offer "some reassurance to patients and staff".

They reiterated handing back the contract had been "deeply painful".