Barrow surgery to close following GPs’ retirement

Patients of a Barrow GP surgery are to be allocated to a new practice following the decision to close the surgery.

Drs Chris Green and Kathryn Robinson, who run Liverpool House Surgery in Risedale Road, will retire at the end of June after a combined 60 years of service in the town and hand their contract to provide primary care services at the practice back to the NHS.

As the GPs are retiring and the surgery building is not owned by the NHS and would not be available to any future practice, the surgery will close on 30 June 2023. All registered patients will receive a letter to tell them which GP surgery they have been registered with.

Dr Green, who joined the practice in 1991, said: “I grew up in Oldham but during my medical training I was sent up to Barrow and I fell in love with the place, so when my training was complete I was keen to come back.

“It has been a privilege over the last 32 years to serve the people of Barrow-in-Furness. I genuinely appreciate the warmth and generosity shown to me by the patients over the years and all the staff who have worked at the practice.

“While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a GP in the town, I am looking forward to my retirement and the chance to spend some time doing some gardening, cycling and fell walking.”

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which organises health and care services in the region, held a patient engagement exercise to understand the impact of the changes at the practice. More than 10 per cent of the practice’s patients completed a survey or attended drop-in sessions.

Dr David Levy, medical director for the ICB, said: “We would like to place on record our thanks to Drs Green and Robinson who have provided a wonderful service to patients in Barrow for many years. We wish them all the very best for their retirement.

“For patients of Liverpool House, maintaining an excellent standard of care and access to primary care services is our priority. We will work with patients and local practices to ensure everyone is registered with a GP surgery.”

A drop-in session for any patients with concerns will be arranged soon. Details will be published at www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/liverpoolhouse and promoted via the practice Facebook page.