PEOPLE registered with Waterloo House Surgery in Millom have been reassured that a new management team has been put in place at the practice.

In December last year, the three GP partners who manage the practice provided notice of their intent to step back from the management of the GP contract with NHS Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Dr Richard Walker, Dr O AK Adebayo (Dr Fola) and Dr Craig Stangroom have been GP partners at Waterloo House Surgery for several years and now wish to focus more on the clinical side of their roles.

Since they provided notice, Morecambe Bay CCG has undertaken a local procurement exercise to identify a suitable provider and has appointed health services provider FCMS to manage Waterloo House Surgery from Wednesday June 1.

Kate Hudson, head of primary care at Morecambe Bay CCG, said: “FCMS is an established provider of primary care services and has worked for many years providing care to patients across the North West of England.

“We would like to reassure everyone that despite the management change, the current team, including Dr Walker, Dr Fola and Dr Stangroom, will continue to work at the practice.

“Periods of transition are never easy but we are extremely grateful to all the patients and stakeholders who have been, and continue to be, involved in the process to assure the long-term future of the surgery. We would also like to thank the practice team at Waterloo House Surgery which has continued to deliver care throughout.”

FCMS will manage the surgery for a 10-month period until April 1 2023. During this time Morecambe Bay CCG will hold another procurement exercise to establish longer-term contracting arrangements for the surgery.

Lee McGlynn, chief operating officer at FCMS, said: “We are really pleased to be able to assist Morecambe Bay CCG and the staff and patients of Waterloo House for the next 10 months. We are delighted the current GP team is staying with the practice and we are absolutely committed to delivering the same high level of care that patients have previously experienced.”

Dr Richard Walker, GP at Waterloo House Surgery in Millom, said: "We are pleased the CCG has been able to secure a provider to take over the partnership at Waterloo House Surgery and will continue to provide health care to all our patients.

“FCMS is a large organisation with extensive resources and a proven track record in providing high-quality services. I know it is committed to maintaining high-quality GP care in Millom.”