PATIENTS at a troubled doctor’s surgery have received some security after a new service provider has been announced.

As previously reported in the Gazette, residents and local councillors raised concerns about the future of the Beggarwood surgery in Broadmere Road, after Cedar Medical Limited and NHS North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) agreed to end the contract at the surgery.

With two major housing developments in the area also being proposed, which could see more than 1,800 homes, calls were made for a new care provider to be put in place as soon as possible to ensure patients could access primary care services locally.

Now, the CCG has announced that not-for-profit organisation, North Hampshire Urgent Care (NHUC), will take over the running of the surgery from September.

NHUC is a not-for-profit, community benefit society which works in partnership with the NHS.

It provides GP out of hours and local weekend improved access services through Hantsdoc and has looked after patients in this area for more than 20 years.

Zara Hyde-Peters, managing director for NHS North Hampshire CCG, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that we have successfully arranged for NHUC to provide services at Beggarwood.

“Our priority has always been to ensure that all patients can continue to access good, appropriate, safe primary care services both now and in the future so we are really pleased that we have made long term arrangements for both practice sites.

“We know that there have been concerns with the practices and have supported both of them to make improvements in the care they provide, including changing the appointment booking system so patients can now book appointments in advance rather than just on the day, strengthening continuity of care, and securing an interim practice manager.”

NHUC has been rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission and excellent in a recent external audit.

The news comes after it was announced that Bramblys Grange Medical Partnership will take over Rooksdown Practice, which was also under run by Cedar Medical Care, meaning both practices will remain open.

Basingstoke South West division county councillor, Cllr Stephen Reid, welcomed the news but said there still needs to be some clarity.

He said: “I am really pleased to hear that NHUC will be taking over as the provider for the Beggarwood surgery.

“Though what we need to know now is, is this going to be a permeant contract or just one for a couple of years.

“Also are patients going to have access to the same doctor? Because that is something that is important to residents, especially those who have to make regular appointments.”

Patients registered with the practices do not need to do anything and the CCG will be writing to them all in the near future to ensure they are informed about the new arrangements.

Dr Andrew Fernando, medical director at Hantsdoc, said: “NHUC are delighted to be taking on the Beggarwood practice in partnership with North Hampshire CCG and in close collaboration with our patients and the local population.

“We have worked in the Basingstoke area for over 20 years and are proud to be a patient centred, clinically led organisation.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the health of the local population and to look at new ways of providing services to best meet the needs of the local people.”

NHUC will take over the running of the Beggarwood surgery from September.