In what has become almost expected and inevitable, another GP surgery in Ballymena has announced that it will close, blaming escalating pressures within General Practice, particularly in the Ballymena area, for contributing to its closure.
It follows five other surgeries in the Ballymena area since the beginning of 2023, namely Bernaghmore Medical Practice, Ballymena Family Practice, Kells & Connor Medical Practice, Gables Medical Centre, and Cullybackey Health Centre, where arrangements have been implemented, or are being made currently, to ensure continuity of care for patients and save practices from closure.
Galgorm Surgery, located at 77 Galgorm Road, and which is understood to care for around 2,400 patients, posted the announcement on the practice website on Friday evening, May 19th, titled 'Practice Closure'.
According to the practice website Dr Leanne Johnston is the lead GP Partner, with two salaried GP's also working in the surgery - Dr Anna O'Kane, and Dr Craig Wylie.
The statement says:
"It is with deep regret that we have to inform you that we have given notice to the Department of Health that we are handing back our contract to deliver GP GMS services.
"We have endeavoured to keep going despite the well known pressures within General Practice in Northern Ireland which are particularly acute in the Ballymena Area.
"Unfortunately, these escalating pressures, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding our current premises has left us with no other option than to withdraw from our contract.
"It has been an honour and privilege for us all to serve the patients of Galgorm Surgery. We would like to reassure patients that we will continue to deliver GP services as normal until the 31st August 2023."