Minehead Medical Centre temporarily shuts

The only GP practice in a Somerset town has been temporarily closed.

A notice appeared on the door of Minehead Medical Centre earlier, along with a post on its Facebook page.

It said it can no longer operate as a surgery until new provider One Medical Group takes over on Wednesday, "due to circumstances beyond our control".

NHS Somerset said a notice of suspension had been issued to its provider after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

The CQC said it had stepped-in because people using the service "may be exposed to the risk of harm".

"Following an inspection of Minehead Medical Centre in Somerset, CQC has taken urgent action today, to suspend the provider who runs the centre, Minehead Medical Ltd, from being able to carry out regulated activities at the medical centre for three months," a spokesperson said.

They added: "CQC was working with partner organisations to ensure people using this service were still able to access the care that they need now, and in future from an alternative provider with no break in service.

"However, the provider made an independent decision to stop accepting appointments and referrals from Tuesday lunchtime onwards, until the new provider was due to take over from Wednesday morning."

The CQC said Minehead Medical Ltd had the right to appeal and the findings from its inspection would be published on its website when complete.

The medical centre said it would honour pre-booked appointments on Tuesday morning but was unable to book any further appointments.

NHS Somerset said in a statement that the surgery had temporarily closed to new appointments from 12:00 GMT on Tuesday.

It added: "We are committed to ensuring that patients in Somerset have access to safe and effective GP services and will continue to take action to ensure patients at Minehead Medical Centre receive the right care."

It said that patients do not need to register with a different surgery and those with an urgent medical need should contact 111, visit their local minor injuries unit or call 999.

Patients with a pre-booked appointment will be contacted.

NHS Somerset asked people not to contact the practice directly and has set up a dedicated helpline on 0300 303 6409.

Many residents reacted with shock and concern over the sudden closure, with one patient, David, calling it a "calamity".

He added: "I'm not at all surprised. For some unknown reason it's just folding down. We've got one doctor for 30,000 people in Minehead.

"I am a little upset that there is no backup at the moment, so what are people to do with their repeat prescriptions. We're an elderly population down here. I don't know what's going to happen."

Leonie and Barry Young felt it would have "quite a severe impact" on the town.

"I think that it will be a problem and it needs to be resolved quite quickly as regards prescriptions.

"I'm a bit concerned because we obviously need a GP surgery here. I don't know where else we would go," said Ms Young.

Sue has lived in Minehead for 29 years and has used the surgery since she arrived in the town.

She said: "It was a bit shocking to be honest. Nobody seems to know why. It's going to concern quite a few people and hopefully it's going to be temporary.

"I think local people will be very disappointed because it's been here a long while. It's very important."

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