Two large GP surgeries in County Down are to be taken over by health authorities after talks failed to find new doctors to run them.
The Priory and Springhill GP Practice operates from two sites in Holywood and Bangor, which together provide GP services for almost 15,000 patients.
Problems were raised in August when it was announced they would shut in early 2023 unless new doctors were found.
But the South Eastern Health Trust will now run them on a temporary basis.
The Department of Health confirmed the move to BBC News NI on Monday after the 11th-hour failure of negotiations.
It follows the resignations of GP partners at both practices.
In the recent past the doctors’ union the British Medical Association has said medical practices are becoming too expensive to run.
A Department of Health spokesperson said patients “do not need to take any action” and would be notified by letter of the move in the coming days.
It added that the South Eastern Health Trust will work with the department to secure ongoing locum GP cover for the practice.
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