THE BERE Alston Medical Practice is under 'new management' from this week.

The partners at Abbey Surgery in Plymouth Road, Tavistock have merged their National Health Service-based practice with the one in Bere Alston from Monday.

The new management said that a full range of services would continue to be provided at Bere Alston in the existing practice building and that they hoped everyone registered at Bere Alston would find there was a smooth transition to the new practice.

A new doctor, Dr Mike Maguire, will be joining the integrated practices to help cope with the increasing medical demands of the joint organisations.

Nearly 300 people attended a meeting in Bere Alston earlier this summer, as surgery management met villagers to explain the re-organisation.

Darren Newland, the practice manager at Abbey Surgery said: 'There will be a period of some six months during which the Bere Alston practice is fully integrated and we are grateful for the support and understanding of our new patients during this time.

'We plan to provide a range of medical, nursing and support staff in Bere Alston to match our current services in Tavistock.

'We very much look forward to providing the best of modern healthcare by fully integrating both surgeries.

For more information please contact Darren Newland, practice manager 01822 612247.