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Alderney's only GP practice announced this morning that it is delaying its closure by four weeks.
The Island Medical Centre was planning to close its doors for the final time tomorrow - 6 May - but has now said that it will remain open until Friday 3 June.
At just before 08:00 today, the practice said that it could remain open for another four weeks having secured support from Queens Road Medical Centre in Guernsey.
Pictured: Queens Road Medical Practice has stepped in to support GP services in Alderney.
The Island Medical Centre said: "After intense discussions with all interested parties, we are pleased to report that we are now in a position to delay closure.
"This has been made possible by the Guernsey surgery Queens Road Medical Centre, who have agreed to provide two doctors to work in rota with Dr Hamilton in our Alderney-based surgery for one month."
Alderney States' member Steve Roberts welcomed the news.
"Good news and thanks to all involved in the negotiations," said Mr Roberts.
"A big thank you to Queens Road and indeed all our Guernsey friends. Let us now move forward to a solution."
Pictured: Alderney Representative Steve Roberts hopes that this morning's announcement will be followed by a long-term solution to maintain GP services in Alderney.
GP services in Alderney are provided privately. They are not among the transferred services in Alderney for which the States of Guernsey are responsible as part of an extensive agreement dating back to 1948.
The Island Medical Centre said that it would use the next four weeks to work with others on a long-term solution.
"During that time, all parties involved will make every effort to agree on a healthcare system in Alderney that is both safe and viable in the long term," it said.
"We are confident that all parties involved are now committed to work to that end and the Island Medical Centre will continue to serve the community."
Pictured: Before this morning's announcement, Bill Abel, the Chairman of Alderney's Policy & Finance Committee, told Express that he and counterparts in Guernsey were working to secure GP services in Alderney.
Express reported yesterday on the Island Medical Centre's original plans to close this week.
At that time, the Chairman of Alderney's Policy & Finance Committee, Bill Abel, and the President of Guernsey's Policy & Resources Committee, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, issued a joint statement in an effort to "reassure islanders that 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".
Alderney's only GP practice closing this week
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