A WEST Cumbrian surgery is set to permanantly close its doors - due to issues around recruiting GPs in the county.

Operators Fellview Healthcare has said it has had to make the 'difficult decision' to submit an application to NHS England to close Frizington Surgery on a permanent basis - after the surgery has been closed for a number of weeks on a temporary basis.

A spokesman said: "In common with many other primary care providers across North Cumbria, GP numbers at Fellview have fallen steadily over a number of years.

"Whilst the practice has made every effort to recruit, attracting new GPs to north Cumbria and especially west Cumbria, has and is proving difficult."

The operator will now only run surgeries on three sites in Cleator Moor, Egremont and Whitehaven which they see as the 'only way forward'.

The operator said:"The practice continues to address workforce challenges, however there is no immediate solution to the lack of GP availability, this problem, which is being seriously felt across north Cumbria and is an acute issue in west Cumbria. 

"In order to support delivery of services now and in the future, we believe a fully integrated ‘clinical hub’ model will improve patient experience and service delivery. 

"We know change takes time, so some of the changes will come sooner than others."

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