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The Department of Health has confirmed the current partners at two Ballymena practices have indicated they intend to resign, with a knock-on impact on a reported 7000 patients.

The two practices are based within one health centre. And as things stand they're set to close on New Year's Eve and the end of May. The Department of Health say it's continuing to invest in GP services across Northern Ireland - including a 5.5 million pound package announced in September - and that processes are already under way to deal with any GP practice which is handing back its contract.

The Department of Health provided a statement saying both practices in Ballymena, "are continuing to offer services as normal".

Dr Susan Sproule, a GP in Ballymena joined us. She believes the remaining practices in the area don't have the capacity to accommodate more patients which could put patient safety at risk.