Devon GP service saved but opening hours cut

A GP surgery in Devon has found a new operator to keep it going, but with reduced hours.

Last year, Symphony Healthcare Services said it would end its GP contract at the Lynton Health Centre in April 2024.

Following a search, NHS Devon Integrated Care Board said Fuller and Forbes, which runs Barnstaple's Queens Medical Centre, would be taking over.

But the deal would lead to the service for Lynton and Lynmouth being available three days a week rather than five, bosses said.

Symphony Healthcare Services said it was unable to continue with the GP contract after two-and-a-half years due to "ongoing challenges" with recruiting staff and finding a new provider to run the service.

The potential closure of the surgery, on Burvill Street, led to residents setting up a social media campaign to find a GP to take over.

NHS Devon said it carried out a "nationwide" search to find a new provider and this led to two local GP practices to express an interest in running the health centre.

Fuller and Forbes, operated by Dr Mark Fuller and Methven Forbes, will take over the surgery on 1 May as a branch site of the Queens Medical Centre, NHS Devon said.

As part of the move, NHS Devon said Queens would be the main site for the operator, with patients in Lynton able to access services there.

A statement from NHS Devon confirmed GP services at Lynton Health Centre, which currently run Monday to Friday, would be available three days a week as part of the takeover.

An NHS Devon spokesperson said: "The specific days are yet to be confirmed and are subject to further discussion with the new provider.

"There will be onsite clinical cover, with a mix of GP, advanced nurse practitioners with specialist nursing, and health care assistant sessions."

NHS Devon said the Minor Injuries Unit based at the same site would remain open Monday to Friday.

A public meeting is due to be held at 19:00 GMT on Tuesday at Lynton Town Hall to discuss the plans for the health centre.

Astra Fletcher, a patient in Lynton and member of the Patient Participation Group, said having access to a GP five days a week would be better.

But she added the plans to keep the service running three days a week were the "way of the world" and would still be a welcome boost locally.

Ms Fletcher said: "We haven't got enough patients to stay five days a week, and three days a week is preferable to none."

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