A HEALTH practice has been heavily criticised for failing to reopen its village surgery in Gargrave - amidst claims that patients have got fed-up and switched GP surgeries.

The area in front of the Fisher Medical surgery in Higherlands Close, which has been closed for almost three years since the start of the Covid pandemic, is now being used as a car park for a commercial vehicle, heard a meeting of the parish council.

Councillors fear Fisher Medical, part of The Modality Partnership, has no intention of reopening the surgery, despite saying early last year it was due to be refurbished and reopened in April or May, 2022.

A spokesperson for the Modality Partnership, a national provider of primary health care that also has practices in Silsden, Steeton and Cross Hills, told the Craven Herald that the Gargrave branch of Fisher Medical would reopen, once the NHS IT system was sorted out.

But ward councillor Simon Myers, speaking at the monthly meeting of the parish council, said if the health practice had no intention of reopening the surgery, it should let another practice take it over.

"Not only have they not reopened the Gargrave surgery, they are allowing buttie vans to park on the forecourt. They could offer it to a different practice. A lot of people have lost patience with Fisher Medical and have gone to Dyneley House," he said.

Fellow ward councillor Alan Sutcliffe said he didn't think there was any intention of it being reopened and pointed out a lot of work would have to be carried out inside because of the length of time it had been closed.

He said: "I think there will be a planning application to develop the surgery for residential, and it won't be refused because it is surrounded by houses. I don't think there is any intention of reopening it."

A spokesperson for the Modality Partnership told the Craven Herald: "Currently we are waiting for the NHS IT to be reconnected. Once this has been done we will be reopening the branch surgery.

"There are no plans to sell or redevelop the site. In fact we have teamed up with a local charity to improve the outside areas of the surgery and create a wellness space and a seat for patients outside."

The spokesperson said Modality would look into the use of the car park and offered to attend a future meeting of Gargrave Parish Council.