A GP accused of sexually touching patients has lost his appeal against an order banning him from practising in the NHS.

The High Court upheld a decision by the Family Health Services Appeal Authority to remove Dr Harish Doshi, of the Fairway Medical Centre, Leigh, from the medical performers list of South East Essex Primary Care Trust.

He is also disqualified from practising as an NHS doctor for at least five years.

But the future of the surgery, in The Fairway, is still uncertain after the trust confirmed it was considering its closure, saying the building was not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Campaign group Friends of the Fairway is fighting its closure. Chairman David Woods said: "The trust has to sit down and start talking constructively about the options. We're not going down without a fight or putting up the white flag."

Lorraine Cabel, the trust's interim chief executive, said the High Court's decision would have "no immediate consequences for patient care", adding: "Services will continue to be provided by a locum service until further notice.

"We would like to reassure patients the trust's main priority is to ensure continuity of their care. We are exploring the options for the long-term provision of primary care services for patients."

Dr Doshi is still being investigated separately by the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors.

Dr Doshi said: "I am obviously hugely disappointed. I do not consider justice has been done and I will do everything in my power to prove my innocence.

"It is too early to say what will happen as regards my practice, as I have yet to consider further legal options that may be available."

He also thanked the campaigners for their support.