The closure of Roman Way Medical Centre could be delayed.

As reported in the Gazette last month, the Cally practice is meant to shut at the end of August. Its two lead GPs, Dr Bina Shah and Dr Stanley Ho, are retiring.

Because the building is privately owned, it will cease to be a surgery once it closes – leaving 4,700 patients in limbo.

Councillors have been campaigning for a new practice to be set up as close as possible to the current site, gathering more than 500 petition signatures. It’s so vulnerable patients aren’t affected and nearby surgeries aren’t put under extra pressure.

As a result, NHS bosses have asked Drs Shah and Ho to extend their notice period to allow them to consider their options further.

Caledonian Cllr Sara Hyde said of the development: “I want to thank the hundreds of local people who shared their stories with us about how important a local NHS GP surgery is for them. I’m pleased the NHS commissioners are taking more time to consider the various options before making a final decision.”