Minehead's only GP practice reopens after sudden closure

Minehead Medical Centre reopened on Wednesday morning after a temporary closure

The only GP practice in a Somerset town has reopened under new management after a temporary closure.

Minehead Medical Centre closed suddenly on Tuesday when the Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a notice of suspension against the provider which ran the surgery, Minehead Medical Ltd.

The practice reopened on Wednesday morning under new provider, One Medical Group, said NHS Somerset.

NHS Somerset apologised for any concern caused to patients.

Bernie Marden, chief medical officer, said: "I'm pleased to announce that a new provider has now been appointed and the practice will open as usual from Wednesday morning.

"We apologise for the concern caused to patients while we were in the process of finding a new provider.

"Over the coming days patients may notice a few new faces at the practice. We just ask you to be kind and patient with the staff who are working hard to provide the care that you need."

The surgery is the only medical centre in Minehead, which has about 12,000 residents

The closure of the surgery came as a shock to many residents who found out when a notice appeared on the door of medical centre on Tuesday morning, along with a post on its Facebook page.

It said it could no longer operate as a surgery "due to circumstances beyond our control".

The CQC then issued a statement saying it had stepped-in following an inspection because people using the service "may be exposed to the risk of harm".

The watchdog said Minehead Medical Ltd had the right to appeal and the findings from its inspection would be published on its website when complete.

Residents found a notice on the door of the medical centre on Tuesday morning

Somerset Council member for Minehead, Mandy Chilcott, said people had been shocked and worried about the sudden closure.

"It wasn't expected. We didn't know it was going to happen and some of the residents turned up to a closed sign on the surgery and that was the first anybody locally knew of it," she said.

"A lot of people were upset and concerned. For many it caused confusion and obviously being the only surgery in the town everybody is absolutely dependent on it and surrounding surgeries are at capacity."

The surgery is the only medical centre in Minehead, a town of about 12,000 people, which has a large elderly population.

'Not enough GPs'

Ms Chilcott said there are concerns in the town over access to NHS services but she hoped the picture would improve under the new management.

"I think it's been challenging. There were two (surgeries), they merged into one and there haven't been enough GPs.

"It's been difficult for the practice. I know they have been trying to recruit. Everybody will be keeping a close eye and is optimistic we might see a few more GP appointments become available and that would be a good thing for the town," she added.

NHS Somerset said patients would be able to access the surgery's services in the usual way.

Mr Marden said the focus was to ensure patients had "safe and effective" GP services.

"We are working closely with both the new provider and Minehead Medical Centre to ensure a smooth transition and we hope patients will experience little change to the services they receive," he added.