Patients at Promenade Medical Centre are being reassured they will continue to be able to see a GP while the practice is reorganised in the spring. Plans are being made to ensure continuity of service at the surgery, which has been based in Market Street in Douglas for the past 15 years.
The partners at the surgery have been unable to find a permanent replacement doctor and have made the decision to wind down the practice over the next five months. Patients have been informed about the changes by letter and will be kept updated in the next few weeks.
The department is considering all options to continue running GP services from the current surgery which will continue to operate with support from locum GPs, possibly until the end of June.
The practice is working closely with the department during the period of change, and patients have been invited to call the Primary Care team at DHSC with any queries during weekday afternoons or email the team at fps@gov.im.
Minister for Health and Social Care, David Ashford MHK, said:
‘It’s always sad when a long-standing and valued local practice winds down, and I would to thank Dr Hillas and Dr Greig for their service and commitment to their patients and the community.
‘I recognise that change can be unsettling but we will ensure patients’ needs are met while we consider options for the longer term. We’re currently talking to other practices about how they can help by taking on patients. Patients will be kept informed and we will listen to their views.’
GP practices operate under contract with the Department of Health and Social Care, along the same business lines as in the UK, and staff are employed directly by the practice. The eight staff at Promenade Medical Centre have been informed about the closure by the GPs. The department has offered discussions with staff about the short term situation and future opportunities within general medical practice.
