THE FUTURE of a Bradford doctors surgery hangs in the balance as its contract runs out next month.

The contract to run NHS primary care (family doctor) services at Woodhead Road Surgery will finish on Wednesday, September 30. It is currently held by One Medicare, part of the One Medical Group.

Now the Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is mulling over its future options for the Woodhead Road, Lidget Green surgery.

These include dispersing the list of patients among other near-by practices or to allocate the list to one or more local practises.

The CCG may also opt to extend the existing contract to re-procure the service, subject to market testing.

More than 3,000 patients who use the Woodhead Road surgery will be contacted about the plans before any final decision is made.

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chair of Bradford Districts CCG, said: "The contract to provide NHS family doctor services at Woodhead Road Surgery comes to an end on September 30.

"Whilst the CCG is considering a number of options to re-provide services in the future, in the short-term we are working closely with the current service provider and other local practices to ensure that patients continue to have full access to services.

"No decisions about the future of the practice will be made without first consulting with patients registered at the practice and other interested parties."

Patients spoke of their shock yesterday at the news of the surgery's potential closure.

Bashir Ahmed, 62, of Cliffe Terrace, Lidget Green, says he has used the surgery for the last 35 years.

He said: "It's ridiculous.

"I have not heard anything about this. No-one has said a word to me about it.

"I only live around the corner from the surgery, so it is convenient for me.

"I have been at this surgery for about 35 years now. It would be inconvenient for me if the surgery shut.

"There are other surgeries in the area."

The CCG took over delegated responsibility for GP contracting from NHS England on April 1 this year. This included the need to start arrangements for the future of the surgery when its contract ran out.

But decisions about the future of primary care contracts are taken by the CCG’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee, following consultation with patients and other stakeholders.

Fellow patient Salma Collector, of Kirkham Road, Lidget Green, said: "I'm disappointed.

"It's hard to get an appointment here. It normally takes a week."

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) says the potential closure is a blow to the community.

He said: "It has been open for a long time.

"A lot of people in the community rely on it."