A SURGERY which was in danger of being forced to close is on the verge of being saved.

There were fears last year that the Branch Surgery, in Bentalls Complex, Heybridge, may have been forced to close following a dispute about funding and an increase in rent.

The surgery, a partner surgery of Longfield Medical Centre, in Maldon, was due to renew its rent this year.

It approached NHS England for help to subsidise a £35,000 increase in rent over the next five years, but they were initially unable to reach an agreement.

However, the situation has now improved and the surgery is close to being saved.

David Barker, practice manager at Longfield Medical Centre, said: “We are making progress and I am hoping that we can complete very soon.”

Rachel Webb, locality director for NHS England Midlands and East, added: “We are committed to commissioning high quality care services for all patients served at this branch.” A comment from the latest board meeting of the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group revealed that the lease issues at the Branch Surgery are very close to being resolved.

The surgery looks set to remain open and at its existing location, however, just a few months ago the situation was described as “dire” by David Wilkin, the chairman of Longfield Patient Participation Group.

The change in stance from NHS England is good news for residents in Heybridge and further afield in Maldon as well.

Longfield Medical Centre serves 17,500 people, with many from the Heybridge area choosing to be seen at the Branch Surgery.

Mr Wilkin believed that if the surgery had been forced to close, it could have had a huge knock-on effect on the rest of Maldon’s care services.