Over 3,000 patients are having to find a new GP ahead of the imminent closure of a practice based at Timperley Health Centre.
A total of 3,600 local residents have been told that they will need to register with another local GP.
The practice is closing after both GPs at the practice, Dr Kuan and Dr Pickup, announced their resignation for what was described as personal reasons.
The closure of the practice run by Dr Kuan and Dr Pickup does not affect patients who are registered with other GPs based at the centre.
Dr Raj Patel, Medical Director for NHS England, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, said: “It is disappointing that the practice will have to close. This is because the current contract holders have both resigned due to personal reasons.
“Our priority is now to make sure that all patients registered with both these GPs move to another local GP practice. All patients have received a letter to give them information about how to go about this.”
Patients registered with Dr Kuan and Dr Pickup have received details of other GP practices within the local area and advice about how to register with them.
Last month the local GP service provider Mastercall was brought in to run the practice due to a number of staff absences. Mastercall will continue to provide access to GP appointments until the practice finally closes.
The decision to disperse the patients has been taken after discussions with Trafford’s Primary Care Co-Commissioning Committee about the best option for patients in the local area.
Nigel Guest, Chief Clinical Officer for Trafford CCG, said: “I would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this situation causes. It is important that patients re-register with another local GP as soon as possible. If any patients have questions or worries, we have an information line in place, with staff who can give advice.”
As the practice’s existing contract only had the two GPs’ names on it, there was “no opportunity” to continue with an alternative contract, according to the NHS.
Other factors taken into consideration were the fact there were three other practices within Timperley Health Centre and the “small list size” of the affected practice.
Patients who are having to move can exercise their right to choose a new GP practice close to their home. However, any patient who has not taken up the option to register with a new GP by this Friday will be allocated a new GP by NHS England.
