THE running of Stratton Medical Centre is to be taken on by a neighbouring practice.

Holsworthy Doctors, who operate the nearby Holsworthy Medical Centre, have reached agreement to take over the Stratton contract from April 1. Although the change of hands will mean some new faces at Stratton, most current doctors and staff will continue to provide care as they have done for so many years.

Letters have been sent to all 10,800 patients to explain the position. People are being advised to carry on booking appointments and using the surgery as now, as it will be business as usual.

NHS England, which has a duty to make sure everybody has access to primary care, has been working with the two practices to secure a smooth handover following a decision by Stratton’s partners to resign their contract.

The Holsworthy team — rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission — will be introducing themselves to patients at Stratton over coming weeks and months.

Laila Pennington, head of primary care for NHS England, said: “The priority for everyone involved has been to get the best outcome for patients, so we’re pleased to have helped a neighbouring practice step in. That will mean minimal disruption for nearly 11,000 people, who can carry on getting their care in the same way and from the same surgery.”

Dr Andrew Moss, partner at Stratton Medical Centre, said: “It was a really difficult decision to give up our contract, so we’re glad to be handing on to a good neighbouring practice.

“Most of us will still be here as well, which means we’ll be playing an ongoing part in the care of people many of us have known for years.”

Dr Andrew Brown, partner at Holsworthy Medical Centre, added: “This is about building on the good work that the Stratton team have been doing for the community. We’re really looking forward to joining forces to make further improvements.”