DEVON Doctors claim the closure of their Sunday morning treatment centre in Holsworthy is a "sensible move following careful analysis of the workload across North Devon on a Sunday morning."

Last week the 'Post' reported that as from July 1, Devon Doctors will no longer be holding their Sunday morning treatment centre at Holsworthy Hospital.

Without any doctor cover on a Sunday, patients in the Holsworthy area who need to see a doctor on that day will have to travel to Bideford or Okehamp­ton.

Lee Grant, Devon Doctors Business Develop­ment Manager, said: "Devon Doctors remains committed to holding a Saturday morning service at Holsworthy in addition to a service each morning throughout every Bank Holiday weekend.

"As a result of increased demand in the Barnstaple area, we are moving the GP time from Holsworthy on Sunday mornings to the Barnstaple Treatment Centre. This is for a trial period and is a sensible move following careful analysis of the workload across North Devon on a Sunday morning.

"Patients should also be reassured that if a home visit is required, for clinical reasons as per national guidelines, then they will receive a GP visit regardless of their location. Patients in the Holsworthy area will receive home visits from the GP based at either Bideford or Okehampton.

"It's important with any trial to monitor the change to ensure it is safe for patients and is the most effective use of the GPs' time. The clinicians working for us are highly skilled professionals and we will take into account their views, and the views of patients as well as careful assessment of the workload which we analyse on a weekly basis. Ultimately, if the trial is recognised as not delivering the results we expect then we can revert to the Sunday morning service at Holsworthy."