Bishop's Castle dispute doctor no closer to return

A doctor who has not worked at his south Shropshire medical practice for three months following a dispute with colleagues said today he was no closer to returning, despite ongoing talks.

Dr Adrian Penney, a partner at Bishop's Castle Medical Practice, has not worked at the surgery since a disagreement with colleagues.

He has also been staying away from the town over the past few weeks but returned yesterday this week for the unveiling of the town's newly-refurbished hospital.

He said staff at the surgery were trying to find a solution, but said there had been "no developments" over the past week.

All parties involved have remained tight-lipped over the source of the dispute, but a number of petitions have appeared in town shops over the past week calling for Dr Penney to be reinstated.

Officials at Shropshire County Primary Care Trust have also been monitoring the situation to ensure patient care is not affected.

Dr Penney said: "It is an internal dispute which needs to be sorted out by those involved at the practice. Talks are ongoing but we have not got anywhere yet. There have been no developments."

Cheryl Brierley, at Bishop's Castle Medical Practice, reiterated that Dr Penney had not been suspended by the PCT and said talks were continuing.

She said: "While the practice is in discussion with the PCT and Dr Penney, locum cover has been arranged to ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care as necessary."