A proposed merger of two surgeries in Folkestone has been scrapped, health bosses have revealed.

Plans to join services at Park Farm Surgery on Alder Road and The Manor Clinic on Manor Road, which serve more than 10,000 patients combined, came to light at the end of last year.

Those in charge of the potential scheme had suggested that the amalgamation of provisions would provide 'added resilience'.

But in an update, it was revealed the practice at Park Farm has pulled out of the proposals.

Bill Millar, director of primary care for the east Kent clinical commissioning groups (CCG), had previously said that both practices would be engaging with patients to find out views. He said this week: "GP practices across east Kent have been increasingly working together to share expertise and resources to better support patients.

"Some practices have decided to formally merge to do so, while others prefer a close working relationship without a full merger.

"Practices, which are independent organisations, will make a decision about what is best for them and their patients, based on their individual circumstances.

"Over the past few months Park Farm GP practice in Folkestone has been exploring a potential merger with Manor Clinic.

"After careful consideration the Park Farm practice has now decided not to continue with the merger.

"This means that Park Farm Surgery will remain open and existing patients will continue to be looked after by Dr Banik and his staff.

“If you have any queries or comments about this please email SKCccg.primarycare@nhs.net.”

The merger was expected to take place in early 2019 with services continuing on both sites, if given the green light.

It follows Park Farm Surgery coming under fire over the last year after it was rated 'inadequate' for a second time.

In February 2018, Dr Abhijit Neil Banik's surgery was put in special measures amid safety and hygiene concerns by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors.

In July, inspectors discovered he failed to abide by warning notices that ordered him to improve safety and administration standards.

Chief inspector professor Steve Fields' report said: "The service will be kept under review and if needed could be escalated to urgent enforcement action.

"Another inspection will be conducted within six months, and if there is not enough improvement we will move to close the service."

It serves more than 3100 registered patients.

A notice in the Manor Clinic t patients had read at the beginning of December: "The merger fits very well with NHS strategy which emphasises the need for practices to work more closely together.

"The Manor Clinic patients will remain registered here with their usual doctor."

Manor Clinic has more than 7800 registered patients and is rated 'requires improvement'. Staff were told in the summer make a series of improvements, including ensuring safe care and treatment and establish effective systems for governance.