A GP surgery will close its doors for good following a row over its lease.

The Echo reported last week that Swan Lane Practice, in Wickford, had temporarily shut due to staffing issues.

We can now reveal that it will close on August 31. The 5,620 patients on its books will be moved to the Applewood Surgery, in Market Avenue, which is also owned by the Swanwood Partnership.

The closure comes following the departure of managing director Dr Trang Nguyen, who served the surgery for more than ten years.

Despite NHS England insisting the closure is due to the lease on the building running out, bosses have admitted the surgery could be forced to close earlier than planned because of problems recruiting staff.

Retired Derek Harrison, 74, has been a patient at the Swan Lane Practice for 40 years.

He said: “Luckily I’m just around the corner and mobile, so it will only take 20 minutes to walk to an appointment in the town centre, but anyone who isn’t mobile will struggle.

“Of course it’s a concern. I’ve been using the surgery since it started. I have always received exceptional care.

“One of the partners has left, and we are all very sorry to see her go. She will be sincerely missed.”

The partnership currently employs just two GPs, according to its website.

Dr Krishna Chaturvedi has a 3,200-patient surgery in Southbourne Grove, Westcliff. He urged Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group to look into recruiting doctors from overseas to help curb the currents staffing crisis.

He said: “Doctors in the system are down on morale, and they’re becoming harder to recruit because there are fewer of them.

“Many are suffering burn out and stress. I’ve been a GP for 20 years, and it is getting harder.

“It is complex, but maybe the CCG could look at recruiting from overseas? “

Peter Holliman, Conservative councillor for Wickford North, said: “In Wickford, the medical facilities are below standard. All the GP surgeries here are advertising for doctors.”

Alison Cowie, regional head of commissioning for NHS England, said: “Primary care services will no longer be delivered from Swan Lane Practice, Wickford, after August 31. This is due to a long term lease on the building being unavailable.

“The Swanwood Partnership will transfer all services to the Applewood Site, Wickford. We understand that this may be upsetting for some patients but we feel that in the long term this is a positive move.”

Patients will be able to ask questions and share their concerns during an engagement event at the Applewood Surgery from 6pm on Tuesday.

Ms Cowie added: “This event is also an opportunity for the practice to discuss the possibility of closing earlier than August 31 due to staffing and recruitment issues.”