THERE are concerns that doctors in Rochford will struggle to cope with the number of patients after it was announced a GP surgery was going to close.

A mutual decision has been made between Dr Jose Bajen and Dr Inigo Blasco, who ran the Rochford Medical Practice as a partnership, and Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group to close the surgery.

There have been ongoing issues at the surgery, which was rated as “inadequate” in July 2016 and has had an ongoing feud between the two partners.

From yesterday, the 8,900 patients registered at the Rochford Medical Practice will be welcome at The Puzey Family Practice, which is based in the same building.

This has caused some concerns for residents.

Kelly Underwood, 32, of Rochford, has used the Puzey Family Practice for her whole family for a number of years.

She said: “It’s hard enough sometimes to get an appointment let alone with another 8,000 people needing one too. “Will they supply more doctors and carry on using the facilities of Rochford Medical Practice too?”

Jordan Bond, 26, of Barling Magna, has also used the Puzey Practice since he moved to the area around five years ago.

He said: “Over recent years, I am finding it harder and harder to get an appointment.

“This closure is going to push the GP practice to the limit.

“There will be even longer waiting times and it will just be a matter of time before Puzey will face the same fate.”

Patients are advised to attend any pre-booked appointments and order any new repeat prescriptions in the same way as before.

Chief nurse at Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group, Tricia D’Orsi, said: “As commissioners, it is our priority to ensure that continuity of GP services is maintained for the patients registered at Rochford Medical Practice.

“We want to reassure patients that there will be minimal impact on their services.”

Dr Bajen will be working as locum doctor on a short-term basis at the Puzey Family Practice. A letter will be sent to patients.