At a recent meeting of the Save our Surgery working group, it was revealed that one local medical practice has formally expressed an interest in running a branch practice operation at Parkland Surgery, Askam in Furness.
Following a third party having an offer on the building conditionally accepted, further discussions and due process are now taking place.
The interested medical practice is in the process of submitting their business plan to the Morecambe Bay CCG. Once this process has properly been completed, the CCG will convene a meeting to consider the application and rule upon it.
This is a further encouraging step forward. Everyone involved wishes to see a branch practice set up in Askam and that is what our working group is striving towards.
Commenting from Ulverston, the MP for Barrow & Furness, Simon Fell, said: “This is yet more promising news as we inch towards saving Askam’s GP surgery.
“Earlier this week I submitted my public petition, with more than 500 signatures, to Parliament. This proves the strength of feeling towards maintaining a GP surgery in Askam.
“Now we have a medical practice expressing an interest, and are a step closer to securing the premises we need.
“Now, more than ever, we need good local NHS services. I’d like to thank the Save our Surgery group, the CCG, the bidding practice, and all the residents of Askam who have backed this campaign to date.”
The working group was set up by Mr Fell, after a public meeting of the CCG in February ruled to disperse patients from Askam. Save our Surgery is seeking to find a local practice who will run a branch practice in Askam.
Members of the group include Askam & Ireleth Parish Councillors Mike Cumming and Harry Barker and clerk Janice Cumming, Barrow Borough Councillors Daniel Edwards and Sam Ronson, and Cumbria County Councillor Ben Shirley. The group is joined by the Local Medical Committee’s CEO for Lancashire & Cumbria, Peter Higgins.
