Recruitment issues have left two GP surgeries on the brink of closure, with NHS England claiming they are “no longer possible to maintain”.
The branch surgeries are part of Kington Medical Practice (KMP) in Herefordshire. The group has been in talks with NHS England and the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) over access to the surgeries and the challenges of recruiting doctors.
Following the discussions KMP decided that it would no longer be possible to maintain both branch surgeries.
NHS England believes there is sufficient capacity in the practice’s main surgery in nearby Kington.
Patients registered to the branches could be provided with free transport to the main KMP surgery, NHS England said.
NHS England director of commissioning for Arden, Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Sue Price: “The practice has taken the difficult decision that it is no longer possible to maintain its two branch surgeries in Eardisley and Pembridge.
“We know that patients will be upset by the proposed closure of their local GP practice, and we are very sorry for any disruption this may cause.”
A three-month consultation over the closure proposal is now underway.
