Health Secretary Steve Barclay feels a decision needs to be made "as quickly as possible" if primary care services in a village can be saved.
Mr Barclay made the plea after meeting with Cambridgeshire health bosses over the proposed closure of Priors Field Surgery in Sutton, run by the Fenland Group Practice.
He was speaking ahead of this week's three public meetings focussing on the future of primary care services in the village.
Writing on his Facebook page, the MP for North East Cambridgeshire said: “There are a number of issues regarding the state of the current building part of which is Grade II listed, its ownership, and contractual disputes.
“[These are] hampering alternative arrangements for primary care in Sutton.”
Mr Barclay was joined by SE Cambs MP Lucy Frazer and Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council who spoke to Jan Thomas, chief executive officer of NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board [ICB].
Dr Gary Howsam, interim chief clinical improvement officer at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System [ICS], also attended the meeting on Friday [March 3].
Mr Barclay said both he and Ms Frazer are willing to discuss with the ICB how alternative solutions can be put in place for residents without permanently moving them to other GPs.
READ MORE: Sutton Surgery closure: Three meetings planned in three days
“It is clear such an outcome would pose significant problems for residents given the transport difficulties this would create, as well as the pressure it would put on primary care services locally,” he said.
“The ICB has agreed to work up plans at pace for what would be required to establish alternative primary care services that are locally accessible to Sutton residents.”
Mr Barclay heard that equipment at Priors Field Surgery would not be lost locally.
He added: “Given concerns locally, it is important the ICB reach a decision as quickly as possible.”
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