Northern Ireland health: MP expresses concern after Annagh and Waterside GP practices in Portadown to hand contracts back to Department of Health

She said the Annagh and Waterside Medical Practices account for around 24% of all registered patients in the Portadown area but are due to hand back their contracts by the end of the summer.

According to the BBC, 18 Northern Ireland practices have handed back their contracts to the Department of Health, and another 100 are receiving "rescue support".

Typically this comes about due to issues such as retirement, staffing and recruitment problems or financial pressures.

Some younger GPs say they do not wish to take on responsibilities of business management and prefer to focus only on practising medicine.

When a contract is handed back the Department of Health will then attempt to find a new group of GPs to take over the running of the surgery.

“Many patients have been in contact worried about their GP health care provision," said Ms Lockhart.

"I have reached out to the Health and Social Care Board to ask for an urgent briefing on the evolving situation. These practices account for around 1/4 of all patients registered in the Portadown area.

"There is something seriously wrong with the system. The Health Minister needs to get a grip on this situation fast. To that end I have written to him asking him to convene a round table with the outgoing staff who I can only praise for their commitment during this challenging time, the Department and other stakeholders. I would be hopeful a resolve can be found but we need to find that resolve quickly.

"I have been reassured that patients will be kept up to date however if you would like further information from me get in touch with your contact details."

A Department of Health spokeswoman confirmed that the GPs at Annagh Family Practice and Waterside Medical Practice, both located in Portadown Health Centre, have given notice of their intention to withdraw from their contract to deliver General Medical Services.

“There are 4,925 patients registered with Annagh Family Practice and 5,006 registered with Waterside Medical Practice, she added.

“Their contracts will end on 31 August 2024. The Department will now begin a process to secure alternative arrangements for these services.

“The preferred option is to secure a GP contractor – or grouping of GPs – to take over the practice through a formal recruitment process.

“The Practices will continue to deliver GP services and patients do not need to take any action. They should continue to contact their practice as normal. We will be writing out to all practice patients to keep them informed as this process begins.

“The Department acknowledges the ongoing and significant pressures on GP practices. Notwithstanding budgetary pressures, the Department is committed to building the GP workforce.”

Health Minister Robin Swann gave a speech to the Royal College of GPs yesterday in which he outlined Departmental support for Primary Care. Read it here.