HUNDREDS of people who were facing the closure of their GP surgery are celebrating after new owners were given the green light to take it on.

Parklands Surgery in Askam was under threat after the practice’s sole GP, Dr Prakashchandra Jain, announced plans to retire in March 2020.

Health officials unanimously recommended patients ‘dispersed’ onto other local practices in February after failing to find a suitable replacement for Dr Jain, who owns the practice.

More than 500 residents signed a petition to save the surgery earlier this year after health officials told patients to disperse to nearby practices.

However, hopes were renewed in April after an offer by Duddon Valley Medical Practice was conditionally accepted to take over the building.

The practice has now officially been granted approval by Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee to open a practice at Parklands Surgery, with plans to open the site in the new year.

When the new branch opens patients can expect a GP and practice nurse to be available in Askam over four of the five working days, together with the dispensary services currently provided.

The GP and practice nurse cover will be provided over the full, five working day at either the Kirkby or Broughton surgery when the Askam surgery is closed.

A spokeswoman for Morecambe Bay CCG said: “We are aware that Duddon Valley Medical Practice has been granted approval by our Primary Care Commissioning Committee to open an additional practice site in Askam and there are plans for a site to open in the new year.”