PATIENTS in Darlington are being reassured that appointments will not be affected after a second GP resigned from a town centre practice.
Dr Elaine Moore, a GP at Parkgate Health Centre, in Park Place, will leave the surgery at the end of the month.
Her departure follows the resignation of Dr John Hopkins, who leaves his practice at the end of next month.
Dr Hopkins, who had previously hit out at conditions in the health centre, is leaving to work as a GP under a new medical scheme.
Dr Moore has found a new practice in Darlington, though she will not be taking her registered patients with her.
County Durham and Darlington Health Authority has issued letters telling patients of Dr Moore's resignation. In a letter from patients services manager Carol Wade, patients have been told they will not be left without a doctor.
The authority is seeking a successor to the practice, but if one is not found before her departure, a locum will be appointed to care for patients until the vacancy is filled.
The health authority has said that medical services will not be affected by the doctors leaving.
Edmund Lovell, of the health authority, said: "The health authority recognises this creates difficulties with two GPs resigning from the same health centre.
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