Due to problems recruiting GPs after two doctors announced their retirement, St Luke’s Medical Practice in Stroud will close in September after 67 years.
NHS England received notification of the retirement of two GP partners at the holistic practice, but following “unsuccessful efforts to recruit replacements and after careful consideration” the practice’s NHS contract will end from 30 September 2015.
Dr Michael Evans, senior partner at the practice, said: “This has been a very difficult decision, but under the circumstances there really was no other option. A number of avenues were explored and we have appreciated the support of the CCG in recent weeks – they have worked hard with us to find a solution.”
“It has been a privilege to contribute to this service and sad that it can’t continue,” he added.
The clinical commissioning group (CCG), who are responsible for this practice, said they held “proactive discussions” with local GP practices over a possible merger, and that the practice also wrote to all GP practices across Gloucestershire to seek expressions of interest for a potential merger.
Commenting on the closure Helen Goodey, NHS Gloucestershire CCG’s director of locality development and primary care, said: “We believe that everything that could have been done has been done to secure the future of the practice.”
