THE future of a Lakes GP surgery has been secured for another six months.

Morecambe Bay CCG has announced the approval of a six month interim or ‘caretaking’ contract for Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice with Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC), who are a local Cumbria based social enterprise organisation who deliver a range of services to support patients.

CHoC has provided services for over 20 years across Cumbria and is experienced in the delivery of primary medical services, including out of hours provision, extended access, Glenridding GP Practice and many daytime services.

And the organisation is rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The six months caretaking period will allow the CCG time to reassess and implement a second procurement process.

The commissioning group has been on the look out for a new provider since current provider, OneMedical Group, gave its six month notice to end the contract , which will take effect at the end of next month.

A spokesman from Morecambe Bay CCG said: "We would like to thank the current provider, OneMedical Group, for its continued assistance during this time in ensuring a smooth transition, and to also reassure patients that there will be minimal impact on both services and staff who will be transferred over to CHoC from April 1.

"We will be writing to all registered patients to confirm that they do not need to take any action they will continue to receive care at the Goodly Dale site with no changes to patient care delivery from April 1 from CHoC, who will have full access to their medical records ."