PATIENTS at a crowded Westcliff GP surgery are being offered the choice of being treated at the Leigh Primary Care Centre instead.

From April 20 patients at the Valkyrie Surgery in Westcliff will be offered appointments at the new health centre at a “satellite clinic” run by the surgery staff.

The practice says the move will give patients the best of both worlds. Patients at the Valkyrie Surgery will be able to choose whether to see their GP at the current practice in Valkyrie Road or the primary care centre in London Road.

Dr Rupert Halliday, a GP at the practice, said: “We have outgrown our current surgery and until the new primary care centre is developed in Valkyrie Road our patients can choose to visit us at our current practice or at Leigh Primary Care Centre in London Road.

“By running clinics from both sites, we can treat more patients and offer better facilities for disabled patients and people with mobility problems.”

Patient services will be provided in both locations and the practice’s seven GPs will be based at Leigh on a rotational basis.

Administration services will continue to be delivered from Valkyrie Road and there will be no changes to the current booking service or contact numbers.

Margaret Hathaway, associate director of commercial services, NHS South East Essex welcomed the move and said: “I’m delighted the Valkyrie Practice has decided to make use of our new, modern facility in Leigh.

“It’s a nice environment for both patients and staff and it will serve the practice well until they move into the new Westcliff Primary Care Centre on Valkyrie Road planned to open in 2011.”