Village's GP services set to be saved
Getty ImagesA Lake District village's GP service could be saved after a year-long search to find a new doctor.
In March 2025, the impending loss of Coniston's two GPs saw the parish council team up with residents and local film-makers to create an ad campaign aimed at attracting a replacement.
In February this year it was reported no applicants had come forward to fill the vacancy permanently, but local NHS chiefs now say discussions are under way with an interested party.
Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, described the development as "wonderful news".
Dr Katharina Frey and Dr Ahmed Abbas, who ran Coniston Medical Practice at Wraysdale House, announced they would hand back their contract to the NHS from 1 August last year.
The practice said this was due to Dr Frey's retirement and it being unable to recruit a new partner.
The Morecambe Bay Primary Care Collaborative took over its running, but the contract was only granted on a temporary basis.
'Overwhelming need'
Patients had warned they would face an hour's round-trip by car to the nearest full-time surgery in Ulverston if no replacement was found.
Amy Lepiorz, associate director of primary care at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: "We can confirm positive negotiations are ongoing with a local service provider which has expressed an interest in managing a GP service in Coniston.
"As discussions are ongoing, we are unable to provide further details at this time.
"Full details will be provided as soon as possible, and hopefully within the next month."
Liberal Democrat Farron said it would have been "a tragedy" if the village lost its GP service after 170 years of continuous provision.
The Coniston Patient Group, which has fought for more than a decade to keep the surgery open, said earlier this year there was "overwhelming local support and a clear clinical need".
