Future of GP surgery in Millom secured

The future of Waterloo House Surgery in Millom has been secured as Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) has been appointed as the new long-term provider of primary care services at the practice.

The previous partners at the practice decided to end their spell as GP partners last year, and FCMS has been managing the practice on an interim basis since June 2022.

CHoC is an experienced provider of primary medical services and manages other GP practices within Cumbria as well as providing primary medical services across the whole of Cumbria when GP practices are closed.

A handover process has already begun with FCMS, which was appointed to manage the practice on a caretaker basis last year. CHoC will take over the day-to-day running of the practice from 15 May 2023, providing continuity of care for patients who will continue to see familiar faces at the surgery as the practice staff and five GPs remain in post.

Dr David Levy, medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which organises health and care services in the region, said: “We are delighted CHoC has agreed to take over the management of Waterloo House Surgery from 15 May and secure the future of the practice on a long-term basis.

“I would like to thank Dr Walker, Dr Fola and Dr Stangroom for their commitment as partners at the practice over a number of years, and also FCMS for their work at Waterloo House over the past 12 months.”

CHoC chief executive Susan Blakemore said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to provide care for the patients of Waterloo House Surgery. The practice team is dedicated to providing patients with high-quality and effective care, values which are shared by CHoC.

“Alongside the existing practice team, which does a tremendous job, I am pleased we have been able to recruit locally-based GPs to work at the practice which will add fantastic value in terms of both local knowledge and continuity of care.

“We look forward to working with the team and also alongside our local health partners who are also providing a range of clinical services to the patient population. This is an exciting opportunity for us all.”

Patients that are registered with the practice have been notified of the changes by letter.