Kensington Group Practice in Douglas is staying put, Health Minister David Ashford has assured.

The minister has spoken out after some concerns about its future were raised on social media.

Mr Ashford said there had been some staffing issues at the GP surgery, in Westmoreland Road, but there was now a full complement of doctors there.

There are more than 10,000 patients registered at the practice, which is the largest in the island.

’There is a huge demand there,’ said Mr Ashford. ’They have had staffing issues. At one point they were down to about two doctors, but now it is coming back up to the equivalent of 5.5 doctors.

’They are back up to a full complement of doctors.’

He said that meant there were up to 33 ’bookable appointments’ each day, to enable the practice to deal with urgent cases.

Changes in repeat prescription procedures, meaning that patients do not always need to see a doctor if they have had no change in condition, were also helping to relieve pressure, he said.