Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak says he is encouraged by the progress being made to maintain GP services in Swaledale.
Talks have taken place this week between the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Central Dales Practice aimed at establishing a branch surgery in Reeth.
Reeth Medical Centre is due to close at the end of May following the retirement of Dr Mike Brookes and practice manager Marie Brookes.
The ICB has previously stated that it has been unable to find a new operator to take over the NHS contract and continue to provide primary care from Reeth for communities in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.
But hopes are growing that Central Dales, which runs surgeries in Hawes and Aysgarth, can step in.
Mr Sunak said: “I understand that the Central Dales Practice has submitted a business plan and regional health officials are happy with what is being proposed, subject to final approval.
“That would be a variation of a three-day week model, staffed by a combination of the Central Dales team and the local primary care network of other practices in the Richmondshire area.
“It is expected that the surgery would be based in the existing premises for six months while alternative locations in Reeth were explored.”
He added: “I believe this plan could be signed off next week so there would be continuity of the service beyond the end of May when the Brookes’ are due to retire.”
Despite the positive update, patients of Reeth Medical Centre are still due to receive letters from the ICB, which refer to patients being dispersed to other practices and the Reeth surgery closing.
The MP added: “Subject to their processes which must still be completed, it is my understanding that the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board hope to proceed with the branch surgery model supported by GPs from across Richmondshire and an announcement could be made next week.”
The Central Dales Practice said in a statement issued at the weekend that GP practices across Richmondshire were “united in working together to retain services in Reeth”.
The statement added: “We care about our community and we care about our patients.
“We hope you can all trust us when we say we do not want our current services adversely affected and we are working hard behind the scenes to get this right for everyone.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands efforts are continuing in the local community to look at options for a long-term base for the proposed branch service.
Volunteers behind the Hudson House Community Information Centre are looking at whether their community ownership model could be used to take over the running of the existing medical centre.
At the same time, a group of six parish councils are looking for other suitable premises, should the medical centre not be available.
