PEOPLE in Hatherleigh and Shebbear are having to see the doctor in community halls after the handover of a practice hit problems at the eleventh hour, writes Sarah Pitt

Ruby Country Medical Group apparently found themselves without the keys to Hatherleigh Medical Centre and Beech House Surgery after long-time GP Dr Francis Fernandez retired on Friday.

The Holsworthy and Stratton-based practice, which was rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, was awarded the contract to take over both surgeries by NHS England last month.

The intention had been to secure the lease to both buildings from Dr Fernandez, so that the practice could continue seamlessly.

However NHS England revealed this week that the practice was facing having to look for new premises for a surgery in both Hatherleigh and Shebbear.

In a letter to patients this week, the practice said: ‘We have been working hard to secure the continued use of the current buildings when we take over, however this has not been possible and so we have had to put in temporary accommodation arrangements to make sure you can continue to see a GP or nurse.’

Patients can see a doctor or a nurse at Hatherleigh Community Centre and Shebbear Village Hall from Monday to Friday. The clinics are being held in Hatherleigh from 9am to noon and from 3-5pm and in Shebbear from 9am to noon and 2-4pm.

The practice told patients they would be treating ‘a range of minor illness, ongoing problems and providing general nursing services including blood tests’.

‘You will be able to access the full range of primary care services from Holsworthy Medical Centre, until we can arrange more permanent premises in Hatherleigh and Shebbear,’ the statement added.

Dr Andrew Brown, partner at Holsworthy Medical Centre, said that the practice had been ‘overwhelmed by the support of the local community’ since taking over the two surgeries on Monday.

‘We want to reassure patients in the local community that we are doing everything we can to secure new permanent premises to provide patient care,’ he said. ‘We have already identified potential alternatives and have been holding detailed discussions with the owner, and hope to be ready to open new premises in early autumn.’

Amanda Fisk, from NHS England South West, said: ‘Our priority is to make the transition as smooth as possible for patients. It’s always a difficult time when a doctor retires, but we’re confident that Ruby Country Medical Group will deliver good care for patients after a period of uncertainty.

‘We are assured that Ruby Country Medical Group are working hard to find new premises for the long-term and that the temporary accommodation arrangements ensure that all patients can continue to see a GP or nurse when they need to.’