Fresh hope for Reeth Medical Centre in Yorkshire Dales

Talks have taken place over the last 48 hours aimed at maintaining GP services in the dale following the retirement of Dr Mike Brookes and practice manager Marie Brookes, who have run the Reeth practice for the last 18 years.

The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) previously said all options had been considered, but no viable providers had been found, and the medical centre would close on May 29.

But hopes are now growing that GP services can be maintained in Swaledale following the talks between the ICB,  primary care providers and local politicians.

A plan is being prepared that would see the centre’s 1,600 patients allocated to alternative providers, as previously announced.

But at the same time, the ICB will hold further talks with Central Dales Practice, which runs surgeries in Hawes and Aysgarth, with the aim of establishing a temporary three-day-a-week branch surgery in Reeth.

It is hoped this will allow time for a longer-term solution to be found.

Key to that plan is the Central Dales team being supported by the other practices to deliver the service, which includes the dispensing of prescriptions.

One proposal put forward by local parish councillors is for the community to take ownership of the existing medical centre in Reeth to help the viability of any future GP provision.

Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak, who has been involved in the talks, praised the work of the Central Dales Practice managing partner Lynn Irwin and the local primary care network for working together on the plan.

Mr Sunak said the ICB had told him that following the submission of a viable business plan by the Central Dales Practice, the new arrangements could be approved and in place by the end of May.

But he added: “It is not a done deal — we do not know all the details of the service that would be provided and I shall remain in close contact with the ICB and the other parties.

“I want to thank all the parties involved in working towards a solution and also the local community, which has made its voice heard very clearly to help ensure the service they value so much is maintained in some form.”

An extraordinary public meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s scrutiny of health committee is due to be held on Friday, May 8, at Grinton Church to discuss the future of GP services in the dale.

Councillor Andrew Lee, chair of the committee, who was also involved in talks at County Hall in Northallerton today, said: “Today’s discussions show that work is moving forward, but it is essential that this momentum is maintained.

“The priority must be continuity of care and reasonable local access for patients. Scrutiny of Health will continue to work with the ICB and NHS partners to test these proposals and ensure that any solution is credible, deliverable and in the best interests of Upper Dales residents.”

Local member for the Upper Dales, Councillor Yvonne Peacock added: “This morning’s meeting was constructive and it’s clear that more detail will be coming forward in the days ahead. People in the Dales just want to know they’ll still be able to see a doctor close to home.

“It’s reassuring that options are being worked through, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure Reeth isn’t left behind.”

The council’s care and independence scrutiny committee will also discuss the issue on Monday.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Barbara Brodigan, who also attended today’s meeting, said: “The emerging news that there could be a local solution to this problem is extremely encouraging.

“However, we do need to ensure that if needed, enough time is given, to allow this deal to go forward and that the local community can have their say on what that might look like.”

A spokesperson for the ICB told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The ICB will continue to keep options under review and will share any developments with patients and stakeholders if opportunities arise.”