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Swann receives optimistic update on Galgorm Surgery


It has been revealed to Ulster Unionist MLA and former Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann that following a number of interviews, the contract for the Galgorm Surgery, a Ballymena GP practice that had been facing the prospect of imminent closure next month, has been provisionally offered to a successful new applicant.

 

The North Antrim MLA said: 


“In May, the current contract holder for Galgorm GP Surgery announced that largely due to escalating pressures they were handing the service back to the Department of Health.  This understandably caused a lot of worry and uncertainty over the future of it’s 2,400 patients, especially as the surgery would be closed by August 31st if a new contract holder could not be found.

 


“I have been engaging regularly with senior Department of Health officials over a long number of months regarding GP pressures right across the wider Ballymena and North Antrim area. Thankfully in most cases so far closures and patient list dispersals have been avoided, demonstrating that where there is a willingness and innovative approach from all involved there can often be a successful outcome. 

 

“In relation to the Galgorm practice, I was seriously concerned that if it was forced to close and patients had to be dispersed far and wide, not only would it be disruptive for patients, but also potentially hugely destabilising for other neighbouring GP practices. That was especially going to be the case if they were forced to take on large numbers of new patients whenever they were already working very close to their own maximum capacity.


UUP ClIr Jackson Minford; former Health Minister Robin Swann MLA, Peter May, Department of Health, and Gearóid Cassidy, Director of Primary Care.

 (L-R) UUP ClIr Jackson Minford; former Health Minister Robin Swann MLA, Peter May, Department of Health, and Gearóid Cassidy, Director of Primary Care.



“During my regular engagements over recent weeks and months with the Department of Health, I raised those real concern and each time I was confident that they were being listened to.

 

“I was aware that a number of people had thankfully submitted an expression of interest in taking over the General Medical Services contract for Galgorm Surgery, with interviews scheduled to take place at the end of June. During my latest engagement with the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health, I asked him for an update on the outcome of those interviews. He has now confirmed to me that following those interviews, the contract was provisionally offered to one of those applicants.



"Whilst the outcome is not yet absolutely guaranteed, with the terms of the contract still to be finalised, this is hugely reassuring news and one which will be welcomed right across the Ballymena area. I am hopeful that in the coming weeks an official announcement might be made,” said Assembly Member Swann. 


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