A new GP has been secured for a North Belfast medical centre that was at risk of losing services.
In July, it was announced that the partners of Grove Medical Practice on York Road would no longer be providing GP services from December 31.
This put the future of the medical centre at risk after this date.
Read more: Ardoyne community worker on why local GP surgery needs to stay
However, the Department of Health has confirmed that a new GP contractor has been appointed for the site.
The new contractor, Dr Paul Loughrey, will take over the practice from January 1, 2023.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DoH continued: "Patients of the practice will automatically be registered with the new practice so they do not need to take any action."
Ulster Unionist representative for North Belfast, Julie-Anne Corr-Johnston, told Belfast Live: "GP Surgeries are essentially the front door of our National Health Service.
"They assess, diagnose, treat and manage illnesses proactively and preventatively compared to A&E's which are largely for reactive care in emergencies.
"And the greatest benefit of these surgeries is their locality and accessibility particularly in areas such as this where cardiovascular and respiratory disease is prevalent.
"This news has come as a personal relief. And will be a great comfort to hundreds of patients who are wholly reliant on these services."
The news comes as another GP surgery in North Belfast, Flax Medical Centre in Ardoyne, remains at risk of closure.
Earlier this month, the surgery handed its contract back to the Department of Health, which means that unless a new GP is secured the practice, which provides health care for over 3,000 people, will close on December 31.
The practice is located in the Flax Centre on Ardoyne Avenue and was established by Dr Tan in the early 1990s and is now led by Dr Monaghan.
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