A DOCTORS surgery will close its doors for the last time today as a GP quit.   

Dr Sankar Bhattacharjee, of Westborough Road Health Centre, has placed a request with NHS England to resign with immediate effect.

Following a period of ill health, Dr Bhattacharjee feels his patients can be better cared for in the long term if the practice closes and patients are moved to a new practice.

NHS England has agreed to Dr Bhattacharjee’s request, and the practice will close at 6.30pm tonight (Friday).

Patients registered at Westborough Road Health Centre will automatically be transferred to a new GP practice, Carnarvon Road Surgery, Southend.

In a joint statement on behalf of NHS England and NHS Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, Melanie Craig, Chief Officer at the CCG said: “We would like to reassure patients registered at the practice that this does not mean they will be left without a GP.

“Dr Bhattacharjee will be working with the CCG and NHS England to ensure a smooth transition for his patients.

“I would like to thank Dr Bhattacharjee for his hard work and wish him well for the future.”

Patients do have a choice as to where they are registered, and can approach a preferred GP practice if they do not want to remain at Carnarvon Road Surgery.

If any patients are concerned, they can call the CCG on 01702 314299 or email southend.ccg@nhs.net.