Hopes high for takeover of troubled GP practice

Hopes are high that troubled Bannview Medical Practice is set to be taken over - by another practice in Portadown Health Centre.
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The practice has been without full time GPs for a number of months and last month the Southern Health Trust asked patients to use a telephone triage service.

Patients had voiced concern at their inability to see a GP and local representatives held urgent talks with the Trust, the Health and Social Care Board and the Department of Health.

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It’s understood negotiations are at an advanced stage with Riverside Medical Practice to take over the management of Bannview. Riverside will remain a separate practice with new GPs recruited to work in Bannview but Riverside holding a management and governance role in both practices. This will leave GPs at Bannview to focus solely on patients rather than running a practice.

Ulster Unionist MLA, Doug Beattie, confirmed a light at the end of the tunnel for Bannview and its patients: “The future of Bannview Medical Practice has been an ongoing issue for a number of years now and indeed I had an emergency meeting with the Health Minister last month to discuss these serious issues.

“Many patients have been left in an unacceptable position regarding their health care leading to confusion and anxiety.

“However, it seems a long term, permanent and funded solution is now in sight and should take effect by the end of March. This solution has been achieved by the Health and Social Care Board working closely with Bannview Practice and other interested parties including another practice who have the welfare of patients at the core of their thinking.

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“The outcome of these negotiations should see a stable, sustainable practice delivering for the people of Portadown well into the future.”

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