A SOUTH East Cornwall health centre has taken over a surgery which was facing an end to caring for its 5,000 patients.

In a letter to patients, Pensilva Health Centre confirmed its contract was being taken on by Liskeard’s Oak Tree Surgery.

Both centres say they want to ‘ensure local people have access to GP care in the community’.

The letter included a statement from Oak Tree Surgery pledging: ‘We are confident that the two practices can work together to achieve our common aims of creating a resilient and future-proof service and we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare to all our patients on the two sites.’

The Pensilva centre, which has nearly 5,000 registered patients, has been trying to recruit and retain doctors for the practice.

Because of its difficulties, in recent months the surgery GPs have been operating a telephone triage system ahead of appointments.

Pensilva Health Centre had given notice to NHS England that it would no longer deliver GP care after December 31, 2017.

In its statement to patients, Oak Tree Surgery explains: ‘In recent times it has been difficult for smaller practices to survive.’ The Liskeard centre has more than 11,0000 registered patients.

The GP partners at Oak Tree have become partners on the Pensilva contract from January 1.

‘This will ensure that the transition for patients is as smooth as possible when we step down,’ Pensilva Health Centre told patients.

Amanda Fisk, of NHS England in the South West, said: ‘In the difficult circumstances, this is the best possible outcome for patients of Pensilva Health Centre.

‘It secures a sustainable future for GP care at the practice and patients will continue to receive high-quality care, with minimal disruption.’

Dr Steve Jefferies, senior partner at Oak Tree Surgery, said: ‘As an established and thriving local practice, we are pleased to have been able to work with our local colleagues to ensure that local people have access to GP care in the community.

‘We acknowledge all the hard work and dedication shown by all the staff that has kept the practice going over a challenging few months and also recognise the superb support the surgery receives through its Patient Participation Group.

‘We have plans in place to recruit additional GPs and clinical staff over the coming months to ensure that all our patients continue to receive a high standard of care.’

NHS England said: ‘Patients at Pensilva Health Centre do not need to do anything, and will continue to access the surgery as they do now.

‘From January 1, patients will see some new faces in the surgery, alongside the regular team. ‘Appointments will be bookable in exactly the same way, by phoning 01579 362249.’