A last-minute reprieve for around 5,300 patients of a south Armagh surgery facing closure has been welcomed as “wonderful news”.
Maphoner Surgery in Mullaghbawn had faced potential closure from July 1 if a new contractor could not be secured following the retirement of its GP.
It has been confirmed the Southern Health and Social Care Trust will step in to run the practice while working to secure a new permanent contractor.
Mullaghbawn patients had feared being relocated to other surgeries in the region, which a Newry and Armagh MLA had warned were already facing high demand.
The SDLP's Justin McNulty said in April other GPs in south Armagh were “buckling under the pressure” and would not be able to accommodate an influx of new patients, and called for the Southern Health Trust and Department of Health to find a solution as soon as possible.
A department spokesperson said on Monday: “The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has been asked by the Department of Health to temporarily take over the management of the Maphoner Surgery following the retirement of the current GP.
“From 1 July, the Trust will support all current General Medical services in the practice. All 5,300 patients of Maphoner Surgery will continue to be registered with the practice.
Read more: Fears grow south Armagh GP surgery may close
“Letters will be issued to all patients later this week and they should continue to contact the practice in the usual way.”
The spokesperson added the department “will continue with work to secure a permanent GP contractor for the practice over the coming months”.
Mr McNulty said: “This is wonderful news for the staff who have been fighting with a determination to save their practice.”
The MLA said the reprieve would mean the retiring GP would leave a “positive legacy”, adding it was good news for “patients who will be so relieved that Mullaghbawn surgery will stay open”.
Slieve Gullion Sinn Féin councillor Ainé Quinn said the move by the Southern Trust would "give much-needed certainty to the thousands of patients who rely on these services all across south Armagh".
“It will also give the Trust and the Department of Health space to work on finding a permanent GP to secure the long-term future of the practice," she said.
“It’s important that patients are notified quickly of any changes made to services at the practice to make this transition as smooth as possible."
Ms Quinn added: “We need an Executive formed now and a health minister in place to invest in the health service and ensure people have first-class services.”
