THE futures of three Hartlepool GP surgeries have been secured until at least 2016.

NHS England had been proposing closing the Hartfields surgery and merging the Fens and Wynyard Road practices. But following a public consultation by NHS England, it is now proposed to extend the current contract of the surgeries until March 31 2016.

Councillor Ray Martin-Wells, chair of Hartlepool Council’s audit and governance committee, said: “Councillors shared the strength of public feeling caused by the proposals to close Hartfields surgery and merge the Fens and Wynyard Road Practices and I am absolutely delighted the current contracts have now been extended.”

Coun. Ray Martin-Wells commended NHS England for working closely with Hartlepool’s audit and governance committee to reach what he described as a positive outcome.

“The Fens, Hartfields and Wynyard Road practices serve populations with a high degree of health need and I look forward to discussing with NHS England the future primary care needs of the patients registered at these surgeries.”