STAFF at a Keighley GP surgery which was threatened with closure were “thrilled” to hear that the facility would remain open.

North Street Surgery will continue to operate after its existing operating contract with Westcliffe Care UK expires at the end of this month.

However, its satellite surgery in Vale Street, Stockbridge, will close after November 30.

The news that North Street might have to shut and its 6,700 patients be shifted to other busy local surgeries sparked an outcry when made public earlier this month.

About 200 people attended a packed meeting in Central Hall to express their opposition to North Street closing.

A spokesman for North Street Surgery this week said: “We’re delighted that the practice has been saved. This has shown that patient power can and does work.”

The spokesman said they understood the North Street practice would continue for the foreseeable future.

Keighley town councillor Kaneez Akthar, who chaired the Central Hall meeting, said she now wanted to see measures put in place to make sure North Street Surgery’s long-term future was secured.

“I still believe there’s more to be done,” she said.

Kathryn Hilliam, head of primary care co-commissioning at NHS England (West Yorkshire) said: “As services at the Vale Street Surgery are unfortunately not sustainable for any service provider to deliver, we have to confirm the difficult decision has been made to close the branch practice.

“All patients who regularly attend Vale Street can attend the North Street Surgery from November 30.”