It's hoped a new provider will take over the running of Iwade Health Centre by the middle of this month.

NHS Kent and Medway were forced to find a new provider when Minster Medical Group gave notice to terminate its contract in March.

In recent months, residents have complained about it taking up to three weeks to get an appointment to see a doctor at the surgery, problems with the telephone lines and the high number of locum doctors.

Practice manager Karen Graystone said many staff had been sick and the centre was working hard to ensure patients could still get appointments as quickly as possible.

Stephen Ingram, associate director of primary care at NHS Kent and Medway, says discussions are progressing well with the new provider.

“In the meantime the current provider will continue to be responsible for running the services to patients,” he said.