The future of medical services for up to 8,500 patients at a Bradford GP practice looks uncertain as a row over funding and contracts continues.

NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds is urgently seeking a provider to undertake a temporary, 12-month contract to run primary care medical services in Thornton and Denholme.

The temporary contract to run Thornton and Denholme Medical Practice had been awarded to Dr Abdul Rashid, but a disagreement over funding has seen Dr Rashid decline to sign it.

The contract will be awarded by Monday and all bidders have been told the primary care trust would prefer services to continue to be delivered from Craven Avenue in Thornton and Ann Street in Denholme. However, it concedes this might not be possible as permission has not been given by all of the premises’ private landlords – a group which includes Dr Rashid.

Dr Damian Riley, executive director of primary care and medical director of NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, said should it prove not possible to use the existing premises, the PCT will “explore any other options bidders may wish to put forward”.

If a suitable provider cannot be found, the primary care trust could be forced to take over the running of the practice.

In response to the latest move by the PCT, Dr Rashid said: “In February, the PCT awarded the practice with a contract extension for 12 months until March 31, 2013. In our meeting with the PCT directors last week, they insisted that the funding would remain at the previous inadequate levels.

“We are unable to sign-up to a contract where the funding levels are at such an inadequate level that would serve to jeopardise patient care, if not make it completely dangerous.”

A spokesman for NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds said: “We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure the provision of high quality medical services for local people.

“We have therefore launched a restricted tender exercise and are asking for expressions of interest from interested local practices, and this may include the present provider of services, to temporarily provide GP services until March 31, 2013.”