North Antrim DUP MP Ian Paisley says “people power and common sense has won the day” as he reflected on the announcement by the Department of Health (DoH) regarding the future of Kells & Connor Medical Practice.
Mr Paisley was speaking at a community gathering on Tuesday evening, 18th April, in Kells Community Centre. The North Antrim MP also paid tribute to party colleague Councillor William McCaughey who worked tirelessly to help provide a positive outcome after lead GP Dr Richard Bill announced his retirement at the beginning of February.
Practice Manager Joanne McClure was also in attendance and spoke at the meeting regarding future plans for the practice.
Over recent weeks local politicians worked alongside the rural community after a campaign was launched to save the the practice when the Department of Health confirmed on 6th April that the service was set to close saying "unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all parties involved, a new GP contractor has not been identified to take over the running of Practice".
However days later, and after intensive behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Department said on 13th April it was "delighted to confirm that a new GP contractor has agreed to take over Kells and Connor Medical Practice, Ballymena."
Dalriada Urgent Care was announced as the new contractor for the surgery and the DoH apologised saying "it very much regrets the uncertainty experienced in the local community".
If the closure would have went ahead over 4,000 patients would need to be re-registered with other local practices in the Ballymena area, adding further demand and pressure to GP services already at breaking point.
Speaking after last night's community meeting, Mr Paisley said:
"It was a privilege to chair tonight's packed meeting at Kells community centre to discuss with the community the retention of the Kells GP services in the village.
"I was able to publicly congratulate Cllr William McCaughey for the work he has done to secure the future of the practice and to listen to the practice manager about what is planned for the area. Importantly I want to thank all those who signed the public petition.
"People power and common sense has won the day!"