Rishi has written to regional health chiefs about the imminent loss of GP services in Swaledale.
At the weekend it was announced that Reeth Medical Centre is to close at the end of May. Partners Dr Mike Brookes and his wife, Marie, the practice manager, are to retire.
Efforts to recruit a replacement GP have been unsuccessful.
Rishi is working with local Cllr Yvonne Peacock to find a solution.
He has written (see letter in full below) to the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – the NHS body which commissions GP services in the area – to ask about what arrangements are being put in place for the end of May and the extent of efforts to find a GP to take over the practice.
He said: “I know what a shock the Brookes’ announcement has been. Both I and Cllr Peacock have been contacted by many people over the weekend who are concerned about what this means for services in the future.
“Dr Brookes, Mrs Brookes, and the practice team have provided an outstanding service over many years and are well loved in the local community.
“It is disappointing, and surprising, that it has not been possible to find a replacement and that is an issue I wish to get to the bottom of.”
Rishi commended the work of Cllr Peacock, who met representatives of six Swaledale parishes on Easter Sunday to discuss their concerns.
Cllr Peacock said: “We are trying to establish the circumstances that led to this situation and I am pleased to say that everyone is committed to find a solution. It is clear how valued the service provided at Reeth is and we want to maintain a locally-based GP service.”
The nearest GPs to Reeth are Central Dales at Hawes and Bainbridge, Leyburn and Richmond.
