To ask the Minister of Health what steps will be implemented to ensure GP coverage for Portadown, following the planned closures of the Waterside and Annagh practices.

On 23 February 2024, Annagh Family Practice and on 27 February 2024, Waterside Medical Practice notified the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) within the Department of Health (DoH) that they were withdrawing from their contract to deliver General Medical Services. Following completion of the notice period, their contract will end on 31 August 2024.

The SPPG will begin the 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 Annagh Family Practice and Waterside Medical Practice will continue to deliver GP services and patients do not need to take any action. They should continue to contact their practice as normal. SPPG has commenced the process of informing the patients of both practices.

To ensure stability for all GP practices in the area, the SPPG has temporarily suspended the ability of the patients of Annagh Family Practice and Waterside Medical Practice to change GP practices. This is only a temporary move until a new contractor is appointed and services are stabilised.

Despite the pressures on General Practice and the number of practices that have handed back their contracts, with the support of GP Federations and Trusts in taking on contracts, the Department has been able to ensure that no practice has closed and that patients can continue to access GP services in their areas.