THE long-running saga of Shanti Medical Centre has taken a new twist with politicians stepping in.

Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group grilled health chief Su Long about why partner Dr Anant Prasad could not see patients at his own clinic.

The failing practice had been dissolved by the High Court and Bolton health chiefs brought in the GP Federation to continue running the medical centre.

But it means Dr Prasad has not been able to treat patients at Shanti, although he is working at Great Lever Practice.

While they are currently being seen by other doctors at the Shanti, many patients want to see Dr Prasad reinstated.

The CCG will be putting the new Shanti contract out to tender, but that could take six to nine months.

In the meantime, patients are angry and feel they have been kept in the card about the whole issue.

As far as the CCG is concerned, patients are still being seen by doctors and should not notice any difference in treatment.

But it is Dr Prasad that patients want to see.

Bolton’s health overview and adult social care scrutiny committee unanimously agreed to call on the CCG to reinstate Dr Prasad at the Shanti.

The dissolution of the partnership meant the end of the NHS contract and the practice as it stood. The CCG stepped in in the interim to ensure the centre could remain open but there is strong feeling that Dr Prasad should return.