RESIDENTS in Shebbear are calling for ‘clarity, honesty and action’ from the NHS to bring a GP service back to the village six months after they lost their surgery.

They say they are being ‘kept in the dark’ by Ruby Country Medical Group (RCMG) about whether the Holsworthy-based practice ever intends to reopen Beech House Surgery.

The future of the village’s doctor’s surgery has been up in the air ever since RCMG took over the practice from retiring GP Dr Francis Fernandez last July.

An eleventh hour disagreement left the practice without access to Beech House Surgery and Hatherleigh Medical Centre, which are both owned by Dr Fernandez.

Ever since then, Shebbear residents have had to travel ten miles to Holsworthy Medical Centre to see a doctor or a nurse.

Now though, with Hatherleigh’s GP surgery now reinstated in the old NatWest bank building in the town, Shebbear residents are asking when they too will have a surgery back in the village.

For the full story, pick up your copy of today’s Okehampton Times.