DOCTORS have sparked anger after the sudden closure of a surgery that serves thousands of patients.

Campaigners staged a protest outside Springvale Surgery, in Kings Worthy claiming that there was no notice of the closure and that it would take two bus rides to get to alternative doctors.

The surgery in Kings Worthy, Winchester, has 2,000 registered patients.

Users say they are “up in arms” after it was shut on December 18, leaving many people without cars up to an hour away from the nearest surgery.

A letter was sent to patients, saying that the branch of the Friarsgate Practice is not a “purpose-built medical facility” and therefore has “limitations”.

A group gathered outside the surgery in Pound Road yesterday in the hope of lobbying the Friarsgate Practice to reopen as soon as possible. Among them was Ruth Jones, retired, of Mountbatten Place, who said that it was unacceptable.

“We are all up in arms about it,” she said.

“We are very cross. There are older people that use it and don’t have their own transport. It’s just not on.”

Heloise Callanan-Gritt, 40, a marketing executive, of Fryers Close, said she was “very upset” that there was no notice of the closure.

She said: “I was shocked and really annoyed. It’s really frustrating that we haven’t been told.”

The letter, from Bob Wood, practice manager, said: “The current facilities, we feel, now fall short of what you should expect as a patient of this practice and in order to continue to provide you with the highest possible standards of care and environment we are sadly closing the Pound Road branch surgery, as a temporary measure, due to our concerns over those urgent repairs and changes that are required.

“We are in discussions with our landlords as to the likelihood of urgent repairs being undertaken and we hope to have all services up and running as soon as we can.

“In the meantime all regular services will be available from our surgery in Stockbridge Road.”

The demonstration was organised by city councillor Jane Rutter, who said: “It has been operating here for 30 years, there’s no excuse.

“We are doing our best to organise meetings and get people moving on this and get it open as soon as possible.”

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine and prospective MP Jackie Porter both joined the demonstration and voiced their concerns.

When asked by the Echo, Mr Wood said that it is not known when the surgery will reopen. He did not want to reveal the reason for the closure, but said that a recent health and safety survey exposed a problem that needed urgent attention.

The surgery has 1,800 to 2,000 registered patients and 300 to 400 regular users.

The parish council is due to discuss it at tomorrow night’s recreation and amenities meeting.