GP surgery to close after 'recruitment challenges'

Luson Surgery, which as two GPs, thanked its patients

A GP surgery with about 6,600 patients said it must close due to "increasing challenges" over staff recruitment.

Luson Surgery in Wellington, Somerset, said it has had issues with "recruitment and retention, as well as premises challenges" in the last 18 months.

Dr Rachel Yates, GP partner at the surgery, said: "We need to do what's right for our patients to make sure they can access high quality care."

In September, all patients will be automatically transferred to the Wellington Medical Centre, which will then have 23,000 patients.

Dr Yates also thanked the patients at the surgery, adding: "It has been a privilege to provide care for you over the years."

She cited "sustainability challenges" among the reasons the two-partner practice had to make the "incredibly difficult" decision to close.

Patients registered at Luson will be automatically transferred to the nearby Wellington Medical Centre, in a process managed by the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board.

Wellington Medical Centre said extra staffing will be in place ready for the 29 September, when the transfer of patients is complete.

Wellington Town Council said it was "unaware that this was being considered", adding it is "concerned about the impact of this decision on the community both now and in the context of the town's predicted growth".

'Desperately disappointing'

Gideon Amos, the town's Liberal Democrat MP said "It's desperately disappointing" to hear of the closure.

"I'd like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of local GPs and healthcare staff at both surgeries.

"If Wellington is to grow in population in line with the government's housing plans – including a 41% increase in planned housing numbers in Somerset – then the town will desperately need more GPs and ultimately a new surgery to cater for them.

"Residents rightly want to see new infrastructure, such as more GPs, before new housing is built and that's what I'm going to be campaigning for."