PROPOSALS have been made to merge medical practices in the Lake District.

Hawkshead Medical Practice and Ambleside Group Practice are considering merging to provide medical care for residents in the Central Lakes area.

Under the plans, the three sites in Hawkshead, Ambleside and Grasmere would continue but GPs would share expertise and resources to secure their long-term future.

A group statement said: "A larger patient population will enable us to be in a better position to attract services that will move out of hospitals under the Better Care Together strategy.

"More regular GPs working together will mean better continuity of care, with fewer locum doctors and more appointments available even during holiday periods.

"We can provide a wider range of services to all our patients by sharing expertise and manpower eg. minor surgery, contraceptive services, minor injury services."

Residents with feedback about the plan are asked to leave comments in comment boxes at Hawskead or Ambleside.

Public meetings are planned to discuss the project on September 15 at 7.30pm at the Ambleside Parish Centre, on September 16 at 7.30pm at Hawkshead Market Hall, and on September 23 at 7.30pm at Grasmere Village Hall.