A new provider has been appointed to run Thornton and Denholme Medical Practice.

Shipley-based family doctors, Westcliffe Medical Practice, have been appointed by NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds to run the practice for a year from tomorrow.

The NHS body ran a short procurement exercise, asking GP practices to express an interest in running the practice, which has about 8,300 patients, on a temporary basis.

Several bids were received and after a thorough evaluation process, which involved input from patients of the practice and the Local Medical Committee, Westcliffe Medical Practice was identified as the preferred provider.

The process was triggered when the present contractor Dr Abdul Rashid declined the offer of a contract extension. He believed funding levels were inadequate.

Westcliffe Medical Practice has almost 11,000 patients registered with it and the practice is involved in the development of health policy.

The practice plans to bring additional services to patients living in Thornton and Denholme, including minor surgery, ECG and GPs specialising in dermatology, cardiology and diabetes.

Staff at Thornton and Denholme Medical Practice will transfer employment so familiar faces will continue to be seen in the area.

Dr Ruth Stockhill, a GP at Westcliffe, said: “We are looking forward to working with patients in Thornton and Denholme and NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, to help bring stability to the practice and to provide first-class medical services to patients.

“We want to ensure that there is as smooth a transition as possible during the next month and into the future. Our aim is to prioritise patients’ needs and to ensure a wide range of services are available to them locally.

“It is our intention to provide services in, or as near to, Thornton and Denholme villages as possible and to ensure that patients continue to see familiar staff, as well as taking advantage of the specialist and other services that we can offer.

“Arrangements for our existing patients in Shipley will continue as normal, unaffected by this new temporary contract.”

A Primary Care Trust spokesman said: “In the event that the premises are not available the PCT and Westcliffe Medical Centre will have medical and administrative staff available to help patients and to advise them. We are making arrangements for alternative premises to be available if needed.”

Updates for patients will be available at bradford.nhs.uk/your-health/thornton-and-denholme-medical-practice/ and the PCT’s patient advice and liaison service will answer queries on (01274) 237555.