NORTH Dorset MP Simon Hoare has said he is “very anxious” after a GP clinic group in his constituency was forced to suspend appointments

The Blandford Group Practice announced on Tuesday, October 12, that it had postponed all non-urgent arrangements due to “a lapse in public liability insurance”.

The Tory MP said the situation at the GP practice was “very unsatisfactory”, following a long period of patient uncertainty during the pandemic.

“It would be enormously concerning in normal times, but this is a time when surgeries are trying to return to some kind of health normality,” he added.

“People have been waiting to see their GPs as they have been reluctant to do so during the pandemic.

Dorset Echo: North Dorset MP Simon Hoare speaking in the House of CommonsNorth Dorset MP Simon Hoare speaking in the House of Commons

“The current situation is very unsatisfactory, and it can’t go on any longer than it needs to. There needs to be a clear recovery plan in place and we need to restore patient faith in the practice so that the health needs of those in my constituency can be met.”

The clinic group runs four practices in the area – Whitecliff Surgery and Eagle House Surgery in Whitecliff Mill Street, as well as Child Okeford Surgery and Families’ Medical Centre.

“The problem is that the practice currently cannot find any insurers to provide them with public liability insurance,” said Mr Hoare.

“Without public liability insurance, they cannot have any patients on site. Clearly if they cannot find insurance, that presents an incredibly stark problem.

“From my understanding the practice is experiencing difficulties in finding someone to provide insurance but there are a number of live claims against the practice and that is what is making insurers wary about providing the practice with insurance.”

Dorset Echo: The White Cliff Surgery in Whitecliff Mill St, Blandford Forum, one of four practices run by The Blandford Group Practice. Image from Google MapsThe White Cliff Surgery in Whitecliff Mill St, Blandford Forum, one of four practices run by The Blandford Group Practice. Image from Google Maps

Mr Hoare said he had been liaising with government ministers and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group to try and find emergency aid to allow the practices to open temporarily whilst a longer-term solution is found.

He added: “I have contacted government ministers to see whether there is anything that the Department of Health can provide in this sort of situation.

“I do not know if the Dorset CCG can provide anything in this circumstance. The only thing that we do know is that the current situation is inadequate.

“It has been done as a last resort. The practice are devastated that they have had to come to this. They are as keen as anyone to open the surgery again for appointments.”

Mr Hoare is due to meet with senior staff on Thursday, October 14 to discuss the situation and how it might be resolved.

The Blandford Group Practice and Dorset CCG have both been approached for comment.