HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt has defended his plans to cut funding to rural GP practices in a move which threatens the viability of smaller surgeries in the region.
Community leaders in North Yorkshire have warned that the Government's proposal to withdraw the minimum practice income guarantee (Mpig) will jeopardise the viability of smaller rural practices.
These include the Central Dales Practice, in the Yorkshire Dales, which will lose £78,000 a year.
It is feared this could lead to the closure of one of the practice's two surgeries, with Aysgarth Surgery understood to be under threat.
Jane Ritchie, secretary of the Upper Dales Health Watch, the consultative group for the Central Dales Practice, has written to Richmond MP William Hague asking for his support.
She said: “We understand these proposals will put Aysgarth Surgery at risk.
“If it closes it will put a real strain on our Hawes surgery, but also Leyburn Health Centre as neither are big enough to cope with hundreds more patients.”
The MP passed on Ms Ritchie's letter to the Health Secretary, adding his own concerns about the viability of the Central Dales Practice.
In his response, Mr Hunt said he understood the concerns, but added that the Government was moving towards a system that rewarded GP practices “fairly and consistently” for the number of patients on their list.
“The changes introduce a gradual decrease in Mpig payments over seven years starting in 2014.
“This will allow practices to plan and prepare for the change.”
Upper Dales county councillor John Blackie said the response was reminiscent of the replies by Michael Gove MP and David Laws MP following concerns about the impact on the Dales of the national school funding formula.
He said: “This decision has been quietly tucked away at a national level, and it is only by tenacious pursuit by myself and the Upper Dales Health Watch that it is now being forced to emerge from the shadows.”
The minimum practice income guarantee compensates GPs whose surgeries have a low footfall. It is due to cease altogether in 2021.
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