Plans lodged for rural GP surgery after eviction

Plans have been lodged to develop a rural GP surgery after it was evicted from its former premises.

Haverthwaite Surgery had to leave its rented site in Backbarrow, near Ulverston, Cumbria, last November.

The practice was able to move into Oak Bank, a detached home in nearby Haverthwaite, in April as an emergency temporary measure.

Now Oakbank Surgery Limited has applied for permission to develop a permanent GP practice next to the home and carry out work to make the site fit for its use.

Documents submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said Haverthwaite Surgery served about 2,900 patients across "hard-to-reach" rural areas west of Windermere.

A report said: "The applicants are extremely passionate about the local community and the all-important retention of necessary health services for the semi-rural patient population."

It added they were working with the surgery and NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to "secure a permanent standalone solution" at the site.

The applicants said the new build would be "future-proofing the needs of the patient population", as well as creating a "much-needed" rural hub.

The LDNPA is considering the plans.

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