Mid Ulster GP Federation say its member practices will not accept patients being dispersed from Fairhill Health Centre

The Department of Health announced on Tuesday that they have been unable to find a new GP contractor and it is anticipated that the Fairhill Health Centre will close on October 31 with patients being allocated to neighbouring surgeries.

Reacting to the announcement, the Mid Ulster GP Federation said their decision not to accept patients followed extensive discussions regarding the safety and sustainability of patient care in the area.

The Federation has expressed "significant concerns" about the proposal to disperse Fairhill Surgery’s 2,300 patients into already overstretched local practices with only three weeks notice.

In a statement the Federation continued: "Despite Fairhill Surgery handing back its contract over two months ago, local practices were not informed until just three weeks before the planned dispersal.

"We would dispute that there was any significant engagement or consultation with local practices.

"It is important to note that practices had previously sought to proactively address this predictable issue.

"A proposed merger, aimed at preventing such a scenario, was put forward repeatedly but was not supported by the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG).

"The Federation had already informed the SPPG of its position, making it clear that accepting these patients would jeopardise patient safety. However, instead of entering into meaningful negotiations, the SPPG bypassed the Federation and went directly to the press.

"We believe that the sudden influx of patients, without sufficient resources or planning, would not only compromise the care of new patients but would also put our existing patients at risk. Patient safety is our highest priority, and under the current circumstances, we simply cannot accept this dispersal.

"The lack of urgency and the failure to engage with us constructively is deeply disappointing. We expected better planning, and we urge the SPPG to find an alternative solution that does not place an unmanageable burden on local practices.

"The Mid Ulster GP Federation remains committed to providing safe, high-quality care to its current patients but insists that it cannot accept additional patients under the current conditions.

"The Federation calls for immediate action from the SPPG to address the issue without endangering the safety and well-being of patients across the region."