HATHERLEIGH Medical Centre and Beech House Surgery in Shebbear have been appointed a new provider to take over the running of the two practices.

NHS England has awarded the contract for both surgeries to Holsworthy Doctors. The changeover will take place on August 3, when Dr Francis Fernandez retires.

Holsworthy Doctors operate the Holsworthy Medical Centre — rated as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission — and have recently acquired the contract for Stratton Medical Centre, just over the border in Cornwall.

The appointment follows a procurement process that attracted several interested parties.

With all practices paid at the same basic rate per patient, both quality and cost elements were taken into account when assessing submissions.

Staff will be able to transfer their employment to Holsworthy Doctors, so patients should continue to see familiar faces.

Letters about Dr Fernandez’s retirement were originally sent to all 3,900 patients in March. Follow-up letters have now been sent to explain the position and to ask that people continue to book appointments and use the surgeries as they have always done.

Dr Fernandez will work with NHS England and the new provider over coming weeks to ensure that the handover is as smooth as possible.

Amanda Fisk, director of assurance and delivery at NHS England, said: ‘We’re really pleased to award the contract to Holsworthy Doctors. Their submission was impressive, especially its focus on the needs of patients and the quality of service.

‘It’s always a difficult time when a doctor retires, but we’re very confident that this will be the best way of securing good care for patients after a period of uncertainty.’

Dr Andrew Brown, partner at Holsworthy Medical Centre, said: ‘We’re really looking forward to meeting everyone at Hatherleigh and Shebbear – staff and patients alike. We want to talk about what we can offer and how we can build on the good things going on at both surgeries.’