‘All options explored’ to prevent Swaledale GP practice closure

Patients have been informed that Reeth Medical Centre will shut on May 29 after Dr Mike Brookes, who runs the centre with wife Marie, announced his retirement.

Officials from the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), which commissions NHS services, said efforts to find a GP to take on the Swaledale practice had failed.

The ICB has stressed that no residents would be left without a doctor, with patients set to transfer to neighbouring practices, including the Central Dales Practice, in Hawes and Aysgarth, and Leyburn Medical Practice, as well as practices in Richmond.

An ICB  spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The partners at Reeth Medical Practice have formally notified NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) of their intention to retire.

“Regrettably, despite comprehensive efforts to secure a successor provider, and following a detailed expression of interest exercise, no organisation has been able to come forward with a sustainable way to continue running the practice.

“The GMS contract will therefore end on May 31,  2026, and the practice will close.”

The ICB said a range of factors meant that finding a GP to run the centre had proved unsuccessful, including the high fixed costs and operational pressures combined with a small patient list.

Officials said there had been a lack of interest from local providers to take over the facility, while some providers, who initially expressed interest, had later withdrawn due to “workforce, premises and financial constraints”.

The spokesperson added: “Despite exhaustive attempts to explore alternatives – including direct engagement with local practices, the Primary Care Networks and GP Federation, region-wide expressions of interest circulation, and discussions with providers across neighbouring ICBs – no viable solution has emerged.

“The ICB has therefore concluded that the contract must be ‘handed back’ and the practice closed.

“This decision has been reached reluctantly and only after all alternative options have been fully explored.”

But Richmond and Northallerton MP Rish Sunak said he was working with Upper Dales councillor Yvonne Peacock to find a solution.

The MP has written to the ICB to ask what arrangements were being put in place for the end of May and to find out the extent of efforts to find a GP to take over the practice.

He said: “I know what a shock the Brookes’ announcement has been. Both I and Cllr Peacock have been contacted by many people over the weekend who are concerned about what this means for services in the future.

“Dr Brookes, Mrs Brookes, and the practice team have provided an outstanding service over many years and are well-loved in the local community.

“It is disappointing, and surprising, that it has not been possible to find a replacement and that is an issue I wish to get to the bottom of.”

Cllr Peacock met representatives of six Swaledale parishes on Easter Sunday to discuss their concerns.

She said: “We are trying to establish the circumstances that led to this situation and I am pleased to say that everyone is committed to find a solution.

“It is clear how valued the service provided at Reeth is and we want to maintain a locally-based GP service.”

Reverend Canon Caroline Hewlett, vicar of Swaledale with Arkengarthdale, has voiced her concern about the closure.

“I am sure that we all wish our excellent GP, Dr Mike Brookes, a happy and healthy retirement, but it is of great concern to hear that he is not going to be replaced.

“I call on the Integrated Care Board, our MP Rishi Sunak and others who have influence in this situation, to work quickly to find a real solution to this issue, in the form of a replacement GP for this area.

“This is very urgent, because in a deeply rural area like Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, the presence of services such as shops, a bus and a reliable GP can quickly tip the balance between a thriving community and one that becomes unsustainable.”

In a letter to the ICB, Richard Good, president of Richmond & Northallerton Liberal Democrats, said there was “significant concern” in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale about the closure.

He added: “Residents have received no clear information about what options are being considered to retain local provision and have not been involved in any discussion, finding out instead via a Facebook post from the practice.

“I do not believe it is acceptable to assume that patients should simply be dispersed to other practices without proper engagement or exploration of alternatives.”