A WREXHAM GP surgery which faced an uncertain future is one of three practices set to be run by a community interest company.  

The surgery at Forge Road, Southsea, along with those at Hillcrest and Borras Park, are to transfer to the community interest company, the Community Care Collaborative.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) took over the running of Forge Road last year after doctors at the surgery, which has over 6,500 registered patients, ended their contract with the board.

At the time concerns were raised over the future of GP services in the Brymbo and Southsea area after the surgery building at Forge Road was advertised for sale.

But health chiefs have now awarded the contract for providing the services for the three surgeries to Dr Karen Sankey and Dr Gayle Knights of the community interest company.

BCHUB says it will work with the Dr Sankey and Dr Knights to complete the contractual arrangements over the coming months with the Hillcrest surgery due to transfer ownership in July followed by Forge Road in September and Borras Park in November.

Patients registered at all three practices do not need to take any action, it says.

East Area Director for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Rob Smith said: “We are delighted that we have been able to award the GMS contracts to Dr Karen Sankey and Dr Gayle Knight for three of our Wrexham practices.

“We look forward to working them over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and supporting them in the future. Their new model of delivering care to patients is such an exciting development in healthcare in Wrexham.”

The new arrangements are part of a policy of focusing on GP-led clusters working to improve primary care in areas of need. As well as doctors, patients will also be able to access other services, such as physiotherapy.

Dr Sankey said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity. Our vision is to work collaboratively with agencies, voluntary and community groups and patients themselves to deliver a model of primary care that provides for the social, emotional and medical care of patients.

“We will focus on early intervention and preventative work and identifying and meeting the needs of vulnerable and socially-isolated groups.”