AN AGREEMENT has been reached to secure GP services for the people of North Tawton from April 1.

Bow Medical Practice has signed a one-year contract with NHS England to run North Tawton Medical Practice from the beginning of April.

The service will operate from the existing North Tawton premises and continue to offer the same service as at the moment.

The team at Bow has stepped in after Wallingbrook Health Group, which currently runs the practice at Devonshire House, announced it would cease providing care at North Tawton on March 31.

Wallingbrook stated the decision was made due to insufficient funding from the NHS to run a safe and efficient practice.

The new arrangements will enable NHS England to work with local people and groups during 2015 to see what might be needed in the longer term. A procurement exercise will then be carried out to award a long-term contract from 2016.

The news was announced at a public meeting in North Tawton on January 15.

Bill Dean, chair of the North Tawton Engagement Group which has collated the opinions and concerns of the town's community on the issue, said: 'It is great that Bow has committed to provide the same service to the North Tawton community for the coming year with no real change or reduction in services.

'The meeting was very positive and the community seems very happy with the news. It has been kept informed along the way and been included in the process.

'Local people have come up with points and questions and they have been listened to by Caroline Stead and NHS England.

'The process is not over, of course. We are looking ahead to 2016 and the longer term picture, discussing the needs of patients in North Tawton. But this is hugely positive news.'

Mr Dean expressed his thanks to Caroline Stead, NHS England contract manager for the area and Mel Stride MP for their work to see the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

The contract with Bow Medical Practice means services will be available 8am to 6.30pm on weekdays as they are now.

It is expected that a range of GP and nurse appointments will be available each day, some bookable and some drop-in.

Services will include cervical screening, contraceptive services, vaccines and immunisation, child health surveillance, maternity services and learning disability health checks.

Caroline Stead, NHS England contract manager, said: 'It's always worrying for people when the future of their GP surgery is uncertain, so it's good to be able to settle things from April.

'That gives us the chance to work with people in and around North Tawton on how primary care might be developed for the longer term, including issues like enhanced care for older people and those with long-term conditions.

'We'll be coming back in the spring to gather ideas and look at the practicalities, so it will be an exciting time to get involved.'

Michelle Freeburn, the managing partner of Bow Medical Practice, said: 'We're really pleased to have been awarded this contract and look forward to providing a local service for the North Tawton patient community.

'Bow is not far away and our existing patients face similar health issues, therefore we understand the needs of a rural community.

'We're delighted that Dr Karen Rasaiah and some members of the team will continue to work with us at Devonshire House, offering familiarity and stability.

'We're confident that the changeover will be as smooth as possible and look forward to meeting our new patients.'

Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon, said: 'The threat to North Tawton's healthcare is something that I have taken extremely seriously and I have worked closely with NHS England in identifying a solution.

'I am delighted that the Bow Surgery is going to be providing this vital cover and that the GP coverage will continue to be provided from the existing surgery premises.

'I also recognise the very important support that North Tawton Engagement Group and others have provided locally.

'This is very good news for the people of North Tawton and the surrounding area.'