AN under-threat GP surgery has been saved after a plan to move it to a new location was approved by health bosses.

The Haverthwaite GP surgery was facing closure after bosses were served an eviction by the landlord earlier this year.

But it will continue to provide GP services in the village after health chiefs accepted a bid from the surgery to relocate to new premises nearby.

A petition calling on the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to allow the move gathered more than 1,400 signatures.

The surgery serves nearly 3,000 patients with a wide geographical area covering patients living in western Windermere, Coniston and beyond.

Those living in Haverthwaite faced having to travel out of the village for an appointment.

MP Tim Farron welcomed the ICB decision following the campaign to save tee surgery.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon that health bosses have agreed to relocate Haverthwaite surgery to a new location up the road – rather than forcing residents to travel out of the area to see a GP.

“I want to put on record my enormous thanks to everyone who signed our petition and to the fantastic staff at the surgery who made their voice heard.

“This is another fantastic victory for community campaigning.”

Dr Philip Edwards had until the end of next month to vacate the surgery.

GP bosses already had plans to move with the building thought to be no longer up to the standard set out by mandatory Department of Health guidelines. 

Peter Tinson, director of primary care for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “The ICB’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee has approved the application from Haverthwaite Surgery to relocate the practice to ensure that they meet their contractual requirements of having suitable premises.

“We would like to thank the patients of the practice and local residents for sharing their comments and feedback on this issue.

"The views shared during the public engagement exercise regarding the practice’s current and future location have been really valuable in informing this decision.”