Partners in a Lake District doctors’ surgery, which serves 6,000 patients, have decided to call it quits.
The doctors who run Central Lakes Medical Group, which has practices in Ambleside and Hawkshead, have told NHS bosses they do not want to continue.
A search has now begun to find a new provider for services in the area.
Doctors Paula Cook, Paul Davies and Kaye Ward have given notice on their contract. The newly formed Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said it would begin the search immediately.
Its primary care contracting group met yesterday to discuss the issue. Members agreed that the preferred option would be to identify a new provider to continue services for patients.
A spokesman said: “The ICB will now ensure that all primary medical providers, both locally and nationally, are aware of the opportunity to take on this service.
“The 6,000 registered patients at its Ambleside and Hawkshead practices will receive confirmation of this decision in writing over the coming days along with information upon how they can engage with the local ICB team throughout the process.”
The partners will leave in December and an interim provider will be appointed from January until March, the board added.
The spokesman said: “Dr Ward, Dr Davies and Dr Cook have not taken this decision lightly and are working with Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB to ensure there is a smooth transition.
“The ICB is committed to ensuring that all patients within Lancashire and South Cumbria continue to have access to high quality general practice services.”
Both the Ambleside and Hawkshead surgeries will remain fully open and patients can continue to access them as normal.
A questionnaire will be circulated to patients in the coming weeks by the health board.
