A GP practice has been forced to leave a health centre because it can no longer afford rocketing service charges.

The Valkyrie surgery has informed its patients they will no longer be seen at Leigh Primary Care Centre in London Road and must either register at another Leigh surgery or travel to the practice’s main surgery in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff.

The landlord, Government-owned NHS Property Services, has increased the service charge for its tenants in the centre, which include the Pall Mall surgery and a dental practice.

The Valkyrie surgery, which is rated “good” by the care quality commission, has had a branch surgery at the primary care centre for seven years.

In 2013 it moved the new Valkyrie Health Centre lessening its need for additional surgery space but the high service charged has prompted the decision.

Debbie Johnson, practice manager, said: “We have struggled with the continued inflated cost of running our services at Leigh Primary Care Centre. Several meetings have been arranged via the Clinical Commissioning Group but all have been cancelled or delayed by the landlords, NHS Property Services.

“After a great deal of consideration, discussion and liaising with patients we have now decided to close the branch surgery at Leigh Primary Care Centre. While we realise some patients will be disappointed with this decision, we would like to assure them of our commitment to their care.”

One disappointed patient is looking for an alternative surgery after deciding not to travel to Westcliff.

Kent Mullif, 69, who lives with his wife Christine, also 69, in Fairleigh Drive, Leigh said: “If we stay with the surgery we’ll have to go to Westcliff and we don’t want to do that. We’ll probably sign up with Pall Mall.

“We’ve been with Valkyrie for about ten years. We’ve got to know the receptionist and nurses well so it will be very disruptive to have to leave.”

The company that acts as landlord to some GP practices has defended its charges.

A spokesman for NHS Property Services said: “There are a number of changes to NHS England’s arrangements for reimbursing GPs’ buildings costs to make them more transparent and more consistent nationally.

"This has resulted in some practices paying more, however financial help was announced this year in NHS England’s General Practice Forward View.“

We are always keen to discuss with customers any concerns over billing issues. We will continue to work with local NHS partners to examine all future options for the space being vacated, to best meet local healthcare needs and deliver best value for the taxpayer.”