County GPs' surgery backs calls for Shropdoc to continue running out-of-hours service
A GPs' surgery has backed calls for Shropdoc to continue as the county's out of hours provider.
Portcullis Surgery in Ludlow has shared an online petition asking Health Secretary Wes Streeting to step in over the decision taken by NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
The organisation has selected the firm Medvivo as its 'preferred bidder' for the contract to provide Shropshire's out-of-hours GP services.
The decision means the county's long-standing not-for-profit provider, Shropdoc, will no longer provide the service.
The move is still being finalised, but has been met with dismay from campaigners who have vowed to fight against the decision.
Now one of the county's large GPs' practices has backed the petition and urged the public to "support keeping this service locally run".
In a post on its social media page highlighting the petition the Ludlow-based Portcullis Surgery said: "Please share this post and consider signing this petition.
"Our Doctors, nurses and paramedics have worked proudly for this not for profit service for many years.
"Dr Yarham was also a founding board member of Shropdoc when it was formed.
"Please support keeping this service locally run."
The surgery has also advised people to write to NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin to outline their feelings over the decision.
It said: "You may also wish to send a letter or email to the commissioners at the ICB Email: stw.patientservices@nhs.net.
"In writing: Patient Services Team, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Wellington Civic Offices, Larkin Way, Tan Bank, Wellington, Telford, TF1 1LX."
So far just under 4,000 people have signed the petition, which can be found on the Change website.
