A York GP practice caused widespread alarm when it sent a message to patients saying there would be no routine appointment available for a month.
Residents and city councillors condemned the message which was sent out to patients at its two surgeries – Wenlock Terrace off Fulford Road, and Kimberlow Hill in Heslington.
The message said: “”We are moving to a new IT system at the beginning of August.
“No appointments will be available from now until 17th August for all clinicians unless it’s an acute medical problem.
“Please call from this date onwards if you require a routine appointment.”
Among those to receive it was senior Lib Dem councillor Nigel Ayre.
“How on earth do you think it’s remotely acceptable to deny people primary care for one whole month?” he tweeted. “Is this even legal?”
York Central MP Rachael Maskell said it took “rationing of health care” to a new level. While patients said they were worried they could be denied crucial treatment.
‘We sincerely apologise’
This afternoon Unity Health managing director Louise Johnston said: “Unity Health patients are being sent amended communication today, as we realise on reflection the message previously sent was misleading.
“We sincerely apologise to all our patients for any confusion and distressed that has been caused, that was never our intention.”
The new message to patients says the practice will strive “to maintain our usual high standard of care to patients while it moves to a new IT system.
“Our clinicians will be available for all our patients as normal and will be working hard to minimise disruption to patient care during this time.
“We are sorry for any confusion or distress our previous correspondence may have caused you, this was not our intention.”
Cllr Ayre said he would be raising the issue at a meeting of the Health and Care Alliance on Monday.
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