A full-time lead GP has been appointed to the Bannview practice in Portadown – a year after it was staring closure in the face.
The troubled practice has been run by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, with the use of locums.
But now the Trust has confirmed that a new full-time clinical lead GP is due to take up post next month, while efforts are expected for further recruitments.
The Trust took over the running of the Bannview practice – which had 5,200 patients on its books – last January.
It had been an uncertain time which had pervaded for months and the threat of closure was very real, after Bannview’s last remaining doctor resigned.
A contractor had been in negotiations to take it over, giving fresh hope, but then withdrew from the process.
Now the Trust has confirmed light at the end of the tunnel, with the full-time clinical lead GP having been appointed.
The Trust will continue to be responsible for the mangement of the practice in the intervening period.
The new GP will begin next month at the practice, which also employs a part-time GP. Further recruitment will take place and there is hope of further news on that front in the months ahead.
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