A village general practice on the verge of closure could still be saved after a new healthcare provider was found. 

The NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board [ICB] confirmed on March 10 that Malling Health will deliver care to patients of Priors Field Surgery in Sutton. 

In a statement, the ICB said Malling Health will take on an interim contract to provide primary care services to patients of the surgery which is due to close on March 31. 

“From April 1, 2023, Malling Health will take on an interim contract to provide primary care services to the patients of Priors Field Surgery,” said the ICB. 

“We will write to all patients of Priors Field Surgery by post to confirm the new provider arrangements as soon as we have finalised lease arrangements in place, which are currently ongoing.” 

Malling Health is an urgent care service provider registered with the Care Quality Commission. 

It provides NHS GP services and manages GP practices including others in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, while aiming to respond to the local community’s needs covered in the surgery’s catchment area. 

Ely Standard: Cllr Lorna Dupre, Mags Richardson and Dai Harding of the Priors Field Patient Participation Group have worked hard to save the village surgery from closure.Cllr Lorna Dupre, Mags Richardson and Dai Harding of the Priors Field Patient Participation Group have worked hard to save the village surgery from closure. (Image: Daniel Mason)

The interim contract with Malling Health is due to run for an initial period of 12 months. 

But the ICB said they want to continue working with the local community “to ensure Sutton and surrounding areas continue to have primary care services that meet their needs now and in future.  

“Patients will be contacted via the post with information about the new provider and do not need to take any action to remain registered with the practice.” 

The ICB added that work to secure a lease on the Priors Field Surgery building, which has faced ownership and refurbishment issues, is ongoing. 

It said: “NHS Property Services is working in partnership with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough to progress the matter as swiftly as possible. 

“We wanted to take the opportunity to apologise to the local community for any upset and concern the proposed closure of Priors Field Surgery has caused.” 

READ MORE: Health chiefs plea with patients over Sutton surgery risk

Previously, Jan Thomas, chief executive officer of the ICB, said it will continue to seek solutions after the surgery’s proposed closure was announced by the Fenland Group Practice last month. 

Dr Gary Howsam, chief clinical improvement officer at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System, told a public meeting on March 7 that plans to close Priors Field Surgery were first heard last November. 

Ely Standard: Dr Gary Howsam said he would continue trying to find a solution for patients at a public meeting in Sutton on the proposed Priors Field Surgery closure plans.Dr Gary Howsam said he would continue trying to find a solution for patients at a public meeting in Sutton on the proposed Priors Field Surgery closure plans. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Health Secretary Steve Barclay believes the new healthcare provider will be "a big relief for patients and residents".

The North East Cambridgeshire MP met with Ms Thomas and Dr Howsam to discuss what can be done for patients if Priors Field Surgery was to close.

Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Barclay said: "My thanks to those involved in arranging this temporary fix and I know efforts will continue to seek a more permanent solution."

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, praised the interim plans and thanked Ms Thomas and Dr Howsam for their efforts. 

“I want to say a huge thank you to Jan Thomas and Dr Gary Howsam for their extraordinary work in managing to find a new provider for primary care services for patients,” said Cllr Bailey.  

“We still have the hurdle of securing premises but I am really hopeful we will be able to find a workable solution.” 

READ MORE: Sutton councillor shocked by Priors Field surgery closure

Lorna Dupre, a county and district councillor for Sutton, shared her delight for the news that healthcare services will still be provided to villagers. 

Writing in a Facebook post, Cllr Dupre, also a member of the Priors Field Patient Participation Group [PPG], said she is pleased with the ICB’s update and thanked other PPG members and villagers for their efforts. 

But she said that “this is not the end of the story.  

“Cllr Mark Inskip [fellow Sutton councillor] and I will continue to work with NHS Cambridgeshire and the PPG on a long-term solution for primary care in Sutton and surrounding villages into the future.” 

A petition that Cllr Dupre set up to save the surgery from closure has won more than 2,100 signatures.