Kells and Connor Medical Practice saved from imminent closure

Around 4,000 patients of the Kells and Connor Medical Practice outside Ballymena had been notified by the Department of Health a week ago that the practice was to close.

The Department said that “despite the best efforts of all parties”, no one had not been identified to take over the running of the practice, following notice from the present contractor that they will be resigning their contract from April 30.

This meant the the medical centre was set to close from May 1, with patients being told they will be allocated to other GP practices within the surrounding areas.

The were advised not to attempt to move to another practice in the area and that further details would be issued over the next weeks advising them of their new GP practice.

However, the Department of Health announced today (Thursday, April 13) it was “delighted” to confirm that a new GP contractor has agreed to take over the Kells and Connor practice.

The new contractor is Dalriada Urgent Care which also provides GP Out of Hours services for the Northern Trust area.

A statement from the Department of Health said the Dalriada Urgent Care proposal was “made in the last few days and will provide stability for both the patients and staff of the practice”.

A spokeperson said: “This means the practice will not now close and its patients will not have to be allocated to other GP practices in the surrounding areas. Patients of the practice can disregard correspondence issued in the past week about the planned closure.

"The Department very much regrets the uncertainty experienced in the local community.

"A letter advising patients on the new GP contractor will be issued. Patients should continue to contact their GP practice as usual.”