NORTH Tawton could be left with little to no health provision in the town, following the decision by the health group running its GP surgery to terminate its contract.

The contract for the provision of services at North Tawton Medical Practice is currently held by the Wallingbrook Health Group, which also runs practices in Okehampton, Winkleigh, and Chumleigh.

The group has sent a letter to NHS England giving six months' notice that it will be terminating its contract on March 31, 2015 due to insufficient funding from the NHS to run a safe and efficient practice.

Services will continue as they are up until March 31. After this date, NHS England will be legally responsible for ensuring continuity and provision of medical services to patients previously registered under the terminated contract. How exactly that will be achieved is yet to be decided.

The announcement has raised a genuine fear in the town that it could be left with no healthcare provision, and patients will need to travel to practices in nearby towns or villages to see a doctor.

There are also fears that a closure of the practice could have other profound effects on the town, like a reduction in house prices, and a drop in footfall in the town.

The town hall was filled with residents of the town last Thursday night for a meeting to discuss the latest news on the situation.

Wallingbrook Health Group has taken numerous steps to ensure a sustainable future for the practice, which include spending £15,000 on plans to develop a new purpose-built modern extension that would incorporate the town pharmacy and secure the practice's future.

The plans and subsequent appeal were rejected.

Karen Acott, an executive partner of Wallingbrook Health Group, said it was heartbreaking that the group had had to make the decision, and that North Tawton was a passionate and cohesive community that deserved top class health provision.

Ms Acott said: 'Since taking over the contract in 2011, we have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of care for patients, and develop a sustainable medical service in North Tawton.

'However, the current NHS England contract falls significantly short of providing the necessary funding to do so, and we are unwilling to risk the health of the community by cutting services further.

'We enjoy a close, productive partnership with the patient participation group and North Tawton Town Council and, together, have explored every avenue to save the practice.

'The PPG and council have also identified a new site for the practice and discussed its viability with Central Devon MP Mel Stride.

'The issue was subsequently raised with Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, but a response has not yet been received.'

North Tawton's MP Mel Stride has criticised NHS England for the way they have handled the situation.

He has written a letter to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and to Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, stressing the need for action.

Mr Stride said: 'I am extremely concerned that North Tawton Medical Practice is facing a risk of closure, as the service provided there is fundamental to the local community.

'I am disappointed with the lack of communication NHS England has had both with Wallingbrook and myself.

'I have urged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to intervene and to see what can be done to ensure North Tawton does not lose its GP services.'

Patients are being urged not to de-register from the practice and sign up in neighbouring towns or villages.

Dr Will Sherlock, a partner in Wallingbrook Health Group, said: 'We won't be reducing services before March 31 and I'd ask people not to de-register with the practice.

'A population of 2,400 who all rely on the practice will have much more sway with NHS England than a population with less than 2,000 patients, with others getting health care elsewhere in neighbouring communities.'

It is hoped that whatever happens, the town's pharmacy will be viable on its own.

Pharmacist Mike Barber said: 'This has come as a shock to all of us.

'Speaking for the pharmacy, we have no plans of closing. We will stay open as long as the public continues to use us and get their prescriptions from us.'

No-one from from NHS England (South) was available for comment as the Times went to press yesterday (Wednesday).

For any furhter information, contact Eve Willis, executive assistant to Karen Alcott, on 01769 581996.