Minehead's only GP announce sudden closure
NHS Somerset has confirmed it's now closed to new appointments
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
The only doctors surgery in Minehead has shut 'until further notice' - following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
NHS Somerset has confirmed it's now closed to new appointments.
In a statement on their window, the team at the Minehead Medical Centre said: "Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we have been advised we can no longer operate as a GP surgery until further notice.
"We can honour appointments this morning already booked but are unable to book any further appointments.
"Please ring 111/MIU or ring 999 if an emergency."
On their website, the medical centre say there were 114 'did not attend' appointments throughout October last year - meaning 28.5 hours were lost that month because of patients not turning up.
They also became the first individual GP in the country to operate as a 'John Lewis-style' partnership, as it's owned by the employees, giving them the chance to say how it's run.
A CQC spokesperson said: “Following an inspection of Minehead Medical Centre in Somerset, CQC has taken urgent action today, to suspend the provider who runs the centre, Minehead Medical Ltd, from being able to carry out regulated activities at the medical centre for 3 months. We took this action because we believe if we didn’t, people using the service may be exposed to the risk of harm.
“CQC was working with partner organisations to ensure people using this service were still able to access the care that they need now, and in future from an alternative provider with no break in service. However, the provider made an independent decision to stop accepting appointments and referrals from Tuesday lunchtime onwards, until the new provider was due to take over from Wednesday morning.
“The provider has the right to appeal and further information will be published by CQC when we are able to do so. The findings from the inspection will be published in a report on CQC’s website once all of our usual quality processes have taken place.”
Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Somerset, said: “Our focus is ensuring that patients at Minehead Medical Centre have access to safe and effective GP services. We are pleased to announce a new provider has now been appointed and the practice will open as usual from Wednesday morning.
We apologise for the concern caused for patients while we were in the process of confirming a new provider. Over the coming days, patients may notice new faces in the practice, and we would ask you to be kind and patient with the staff who are working hard to provide the care you need.
We are working closely with both the new provider and Minehead Medical Centre to ensure a smooth transition and we hope patients will experience little change to the services they receive.”
NHS Somerset say patients don't need to register with a new GP and anyone with a pre-booked appointment will be contacted.