No GP has been found to take over a South Lakes practice so a caretaker medical service has been provided.
OneMedical Group, the current contract holder of the Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice, based at Windermere Health Centre at Goodly Dale, gave notice that it would quit the surgery on March 31.
A search was launched by the Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group Primary Care Commissioning Committee in October.
It said while there was a lot of interest from a number of experienced bidders, the contract could not be awarded as the overall quality threshold criteria set for the procurement had not been met by any of them.
On Monday, the committee discussed the options for the practice’s future and have approved a six-month interim contract with Cumbria Health on Call.
The social enterprise organisation was set up 20 years ago and delivers a range of services to support patients.
It will take on the practice from April 1.
A statement from the clinical commissioning group said: “We remain committed to ensuring the continued high quality provision of general medical services for the population of Windermere and Bowness and the CCG Primary Care team have engaged extensively with the local Primary Care Network and local practices/providers in relation to this outcome to identify opportunities to secure a firm future for the practice going forwards.”
CHoC chief executive Susan Blakemore said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to provide care for the practice population of Windermere Health Centre and look forward to working alongside our partners who are also providing a range of clinical services”.
The caretaking period will allow the group time to reassess and implement a second procurement process, which with the learning and assistance from recent bidders and the local PCN.
All registered patients will receive a letter to confirm they do not need to take any action and will continue to receive care at the Goodly Dale site with no changes from April 1 from CHoC, which will have full access to their medical records.
Local MP Tim Farron said: “I’d like to thank the CCG for their efforts in trying to find a new provider for Goodly Dale surgery.
“Naturally it’s disappointing that a new provider hasn’t been found yet, but I’m glad that the search will continue to ensure that this surgery remains open and patients in Windermere have access to a local GP practice.
“In the meantime, I’m really grateful that CHOC, who run the out-of-hours GP service out of Westmorland General Hospital, have stepped in to run the surgery in the short-term.
Windermere councillor Andrew Jarvis added: “The Goodly Dale surgery provides a vital service to our community.
“I welcome the news that the health centre will continue to operate after the end of March, and I’m pleased that CHOC will take temporary responsibility.
“However, there still leaves uncertainty about the future for residents that depend upon the surgery.
“I will continue to press the CCG to provide a long-term solution that will secure the reliable service our residents deserve.”
