Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has called on the government to help save the Coniston GP surgery. The surgery has been without permanent GPs since the previous doctors retired last year. The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (LSCICB) reported no bids to take over the practice.
Farron addressed the House of Commons, urging the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, to intervene. The surgery is currently run by a caretaker service, but may close permanently if no new GPs take over.
Background of the Coniston GP surgery situation
The Coniston GP surgery lost its permanent doctors when the previous GPs retired last year. Since then, the practice has been maintained by a temporary caretaker service. The local Integrated Care Board sought bids to take on the surgery but received none.
This leaves the surgery at risk of permanent closure, which would affect healthcare access in the local community.
Tim Farron’s proposal to save the surgery
Mr Farron suggested that linking the dispensing contract with the GP contract could make the practice financially viable. He mentioned knowing GPs interested in taking on the surgery if this flexibility was allowed.
He asked the Minister to speak with the Integrated Care Board to consider this option and help secure the surgery’s future.
Government response and next steps
Stephen Kinnock acknowledged the importance of the Coniston GP surgery and said its closure would be deeply troubling. However, he did not commit to any specific action during the Commons session.
The Minister expressed willingness to discuss the matter further and invited Mr Farron to provide more detailed information. He indicated the government would consider the proposals once more details were available.
Ongoing efforts and community impact
Mr Farron has also written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to raise the issue. The community relies on the surgery for essential healthcare services, and its loss would be significant.
Efforts continue to find a sustainable solution to keep the Coniston GP surgery open and serving the local population.
