Watch: Save Our Surgery rally at Shantallow Health Centre

Approximately 100 people, members of the local community, patients and politicians, gathered at Shantallow Health Centre on Racecourse Road in the city for the Save Our Surgery rally.

The rally, which took place at 1pm on Monday, was organised by Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Emmet Doyle (Aontú). It followed last week's announcement the Racecourse Medical practice had decided to hand its contract back to the Department of Health.

Addressing the rally, Cllr Doyle said Racecourse Medical had 4,821 registered patients.

He added: "You can imagine, if there is no practice here come June, all of those people will have to find a new GP. Where are they going to find it? All of the GPs that I know of around this area have their lists closed because they have taken on as many patients as they can. 

"What we could be losing here is people in this area unable to access a GP, all because the Department of Health has dropped the ball yet again.

"What we are here for today is to show support primarily for the staff, some of whom have been here for decades, who really are embedded in the community and want to see the surgery continue. But also to make it very clear to the Department of Health and senior civil servants that we are not going to stand by and watch this service close just because there is no Stormont at the minute.

"We have had support right across the political parties because this is not about politics. This is about people's GPs. One of the things we want to deal with in the nest while is to pull as many people together as possible, to send a message to Belfast that this would not happen if it was in South Belfast. You would not see a Balmoral GP closing. And the Department of Health is saying nothing about it. Today, we have to send a message of solidarity to the staff, many of whom are on a work to rule because they are on industrial dispute today because of the conditions they are already working under. They are breaking their backs in there as well as right across the health service.

"Let's be clear, this is a community action, it is not by one political party or anyone else. This is about saving the service that looks after grandchildren, grannies, grandas and everybody in between. Nearly 5,000 people and we can not afford to let it go." said Cllr Doyle

Speaking to Derry Now at the rally, Josephine Doherty, a patient of Racecourse Medical said she was shocked when she heard about the possibility of Racecourse Medical closing.

"I was worried about we might have no GP in the area. I really don't know where we would go. All of the doctors seem to be in a pickle at the minute and there are no other doctors available in this area. I don't know where we could be sent to. 

"I have a wee daughter with Down Syndrome and I would not fancy having to take her away out into the country if I had to go to the doctor. 

"Racecourse Medical is a great practice and we have been well treated here over the years. Also it is handy for parking and it is handy for anyone who lives around this area."

Josephine's mum, Bridie McIntyre, said the majority of people in the area were older people and they needed a doctor more than anybody else. My granddaughter has Downs and there are people who need doctors on a regular basis. What are they going to do? Where are they going to go? 

"I would be worried that other practices might not be able to take us on. The doctors are not seeing anybody at the minute and no matter when you phone up, you cannot get an appointment for anything.

"I have been very well treated at this practice over the years and we need doctors," said Mrs McIntyre.