RESIDENTS packed a village hall to discuss the future of their GP surgery.

The Millbrook Surgery has been through several periods of uncertainty; long-standing village GP Dr Francesco Scaglioni, who owns the building, stepped down from his role in 2015, and the surgery was then run on a temporary basis by Access into Healthcare. A planned transition to the Rame Group Practice did not go ahead in time, and the surgery was forced to close its doors between June 2016 and February of last year.

The Rame Group Practice has made significant investment in the building, including creating new consulting and treatment rooms, installing new flooring, and upgrading the IT system.

The Practice rents the building from Dr Scaglioni and is reimbursed for the cost by NHS England.

The appearance of a ‘For Sale’ sign outside the surgery in December caused concern for patients registered in Millbrook.

A meeting was called by the Rame and Torpoint Labour Party last week to give residents the chance to hear an update on the situation from NHS England.

A Rame and Torpoint Labour Party spokesperson said: ‘Millbrook Surgery is facing an uncertain future. We were contacted by local people who wanted to hear the facts. We organised a public meeting inviting speakers who would be able to inform residents of the current situation.

‘We recognise that regardless of political affiliations this is a matter of great importance to our community. Unfortunately, we were informed the day before the meeting that NHS England were no longer willing send a representative, and our local councillor would not attend.

‘Statements were read out from NHS England and from the Rame Group Practice …and questions were noted down to forward to NHS England. The mood of the room was positive, and many felt reassured to be given a forum to air their views.’

NHS England says it is ‘actively working’ with Dr Scaglioni to keep the surgery open.

Head of Primary Care for NHS England in the South West Laila Pennington said: ‘We are actively working with the landlord of Millbrook Surgery to explore the available options for the continued use of the building.

‘NHS England and the Rame Group Practice remain committed to providing GP care in the Rame Peninsula and patients will continue to be treated at Millbrook Surgery for the foreseeable future.

‘We would like to reassure patients that alternative premises will be found if the practice is unable to continue providing care from Millbrook Surgery in the longer term.

‘We will continue to ensure we keep patients of the Rame Group Practice and the local community up to date.’

MP Sheryll Murray posted an update for residents on her Facebook page. She said that she had had correspondence from NHS England, stating that it was trying to negotiate the sale of the surgery building to a specialist primary medical care premises landlord.

The MP, who is herself a patient at the Millbrook Surgery, said: ’I will continue to do my best, working with all those of influence, to ensure a satisfactory outcome following this period of negotiation.’