MORE than 3,000 patients could be left without a GP surgery in Brierley and Shafton after the future of both medical centres were plunged into doubt this week.

Brierley Medical Centre, which operates from Church Drive, closed its Shafton branch without warning on July 1, leaving elderly residents with pre-booked appointments in the lurch.

However, the Chronicle has now learned that the main centre is to be put up for sale 'imminently', meaning thousands more could be left without a service.

Together both surgeries treat 3,278 patients.

A spokesman from NHS Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the lease holder for the premises and owner of Brierley Medical Centre, Dr Magdi Selim, gave just 24 hours' notice to vacate the building on Sceptone Grove.

"We have been advised that Brierley Medical Centre, owned outright by Dr Selim and also leased to SHSCT, is now with receivers and we anticipate that the building will be put up for sale imminently. We are investigating alternative premises for the medium and long term in this area."

Dr Selim, who is now working in Doncaster, confirmed that he is putting the building in Brierley up for sale but is confident that services will not be affected.

He said: "Brierley will not close, regardless of its sale. One of the conditions is that it must be retained as a healthcare centre so it will not cease as a surgery. It will remain open as normal and the patients affected by Shafton's closure will be carried over to Brierley."

** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated July 10. **