Alderney's only GP practice set to close

GP surgeries are privately run, but given the importance of an on-island service, the States of Guernsey says it will offer its full support to work out a way forward. Credit: ITV Channel TV

The owner of the Island Medical Centre, Alderney's only GP practice, says they will close on Friday 6 May until further notice.

The Island Medical Centre told islanders in a post on Facebook, that the service has been making a continued loss and that staff are "exhausted and in danger of burnout", which is putting the practice in an "impossible and dangerous position".

The States of Guernsey and Alderney have issued a joint statement to reassure people that they are working at pace to find a solution and will give an update as soon as possible.

Guernsey's Chief Minister Deputy Peter Ferbrache and Bill Abel, Chair of Alderney’s Policy and Finance Committee, said: "We are exploring all available options to ensure the Alderney community receives appropriate GP support in the short-term, and to develop a sustainable and robust healthcare service in the long-term."

GP surgeries are privately run, but given the importance of an on-island service, the States of Guernsey says it will offer its full support to work out a way forward.

The statement added: "‘We have been actively exploring alternative options to ensure appropriate GP cover remains in place for the people of Alderney in the context of an acute national shortage of these doctors."