MP hails step forward in campaign as health bosses unanimously agree to find new provider for Goodly Dale GP surgery

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has strongly welcomed today's news that local health bosses have decided to find a new GP provider for the Goodly Dale practice in Windermere.

At a meeting of Morecambe Bay CCG's Primary Care Commissioning Committee this morning, members of the committee unanimously agreed to start the procurement process for the surgery rather than to close the practice and disperse the patient list to nearby GP practices.

Earlier this month, Tim and local Lib Dem councillors Andrew Jarvis and Dyan Jones launched a petition calling for the practice to be saved after providers OneMedical Group announced they would be handing back their contract.

Out of the 1,567 patients who took part in Morecambe Bay CGG's consultation, 1,492 (95%) said that services must remain local, with 63% saying the most important aspect in accessing GP services for them was the location of the practice.

Tim said: "I'm really glad that local health bosses have voted unanimously to find a new provider to take over the running of the Goodly Dale surgery, rather than close the surgery.

"I'm really grateful to all the local residents in Windermere and Bowness who have taken part in the consultation and have signed our petition, sending an overwhelming message that services should remain at Goodly Dale.

"However, we have only cleared the first hurdle - we now need a new, local reliable provider to take over the services.

"I will continue to work closely with the CCG and local patient groups to get the best possible outcome and I will also be lobbying Government to reverse cuts to rural GP surgery funding which have led to many of the problems at Goodly Dale."