Alderney States to run island’s Medical Centre

The move will ensure the continuation of primary care services in the northern island.

States of Alderney chief executive Kath Jones said: ‘While it is unusual for the States to own a medical practice, this is something that all parties involved in recent discussions agreed was in the best interests of the community to ensure long-term stability of GP provision.

‘There’s a great team at the IMC, who have been supported in recent weeks by the Queens Road Medical Practice, and between them they have enabled the service to continue.

‘I’d like to thank the owner of IMC for the collaborative way he has engaged with us, always with the community’s needs at the heart of discussions, and following a challenging six years for the business financially which we understand made it unviable for IMC to continue withstanding without changes.

‘Today’s announcement is a positive step along the journey to bring stability to the situation while we, working in partnership with the States of Guernsey, jointly develop an optimum model for health and care in Alderney.'

In May the IMC looked set to close due to making losses, struggling to attract doctors, and remaining staff being overworked.

Then Queens Road Medical Practice in Guernsey stepped in to provide two doctors to work at the surgery for a month while the matter was resolved.

Ms Jones thanked the surgery for its help.

The centre is currently owned by Island Medical Limited. Owner Gordon Fitton said he was delighted that the States of Alderney and Guernsey had engaged with business to ensure the best possible healthcare model for the island.

‘We are hugely grateful for the commitment of the practice manager, staff and medics of the IMC, and for the support of Queens Road Medical Practice during this time,' he said.

No details have been released on how the new States-owned model will operate.