AROUND 8,000 patients at a rural Co Fermanagh surgery are facing a "worrying" period ahead after it was confirmed GPs at the practice are withdrawing from their contract.
Those who use Brookeborough and Tempo Practice have been advised that "alternative arrangements" are being sought ahead of the six-month notice period.
It is the third GP practice to hand back its contract in the area since last summer, and follows Maple Healthcare in Lisnaskea - one of the north's largest GP surgeries - last November, which cited "excessive stresses and intolerable pressures" as reasons for withdrawing services.
The latest blow to rural healthcare in Co Fermanagh is "concerning" for patients, MLAs have said, warning it was "absolutely vital" that access to GPs remains available in the region.
In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Health confirmed GPs at Brookeborough and Tempo Practice had submitted their intention to withdraw from the contract to provide services, with the six-month notice period now underway.
The spokesperson said the department "will now begin a process to develop alternative arrangements for these services".
"The Department of Health wants to reassure patients that the practice will continue to retain the contract to deliver GP services for the next six months," they added.
"Patients at the practice do not need to take any action. They should continue to contact the practice as normal."
The department is planning to write to all of the practice's patients to outline the process and "keep them informed".
It is understood work is ongoing on a scheme to attract GPs to areas that have experienced difficulty with recruiting, while a review of GP training is ongoing.
The process to recruit GPs from the Republic and overseas including Australia and South Africa has been "streamlined" in a bid to ensure all areas have cover.
Sinn Féin Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Áine Murphy said she was "deeply concerned" at news of the contract being handed back at Brookeborough and Tempo.
"It is absolutely vital that GP services are protected in rural areas," she said.
"I am calling on the Department of Health and Western trust to find an alternative solution urgently to ensure the 8,000 patients of this practice have a GP. We will be following this up in the coming days to ensure that a timely, long term solution is found."
DUP MLA Deborah Erskine said she was among the 8,000 patients affected by the contract withdrawal.
"I know many will be concerned this morning but you will still remain a patient and can still continue to contact the GP surgery at this time," she said, adding: "Hopefully solutions can be found and I will be working to that end. Today I am also thinking of the doctors, nurses and staff at the practice. This is a very difficult situation and they need our support during this time."