PATIENTS and families are furious about the proposed closure of their GP surgery.

NHS England and Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is currently proposing to close The Gore Surgery in Basildon.

Patients at The Gore Surgery, in The Gore, have started a petition calling on the healthcare bosses to reconsider their proposals.

So far, more than 400 patients have signed the petition, set up by Labour councillors for the St Martin’s ward Andrew Buxton and David Burton-Sampson.

Mr Buxton said: “A lot of residents are really angry.

“It crazy - a ludicrous proposal.

“We want to know what the rationale is behind this.

“There are 2,500 patients at the surgery.

“The nearest one is the Aegis Medical Centre and that has 4,500 patients and has just come out of special measures.”

He added that there were a number of new developments planned for the area, including at least 98 apartments at Regents House, in The Gore.

Mr Burton-Sampson added: “I think the proposed closure is absolutely dreadful.

“We are in essence going to lose a GP surgery in area where there will be significant population growth, with two new permitted developments at Regents House and Northgate House.

“This will mean a significant increase in the number of residents in the area.

“In essence, what they are doing is not looking for a solution, but creating a bigger problem.”

He added that the GP surgery was in a poor state and required some investment to improve the facilities, but said that shouldn’t mean it should close down with no real alternative.

In a letter to stakeholders, NHS England and the CCG said the decision had been taken due to The Gore Surgery’s current premises not being fit for future service development and delivery.

The contract for The Gore Surgery is due to expire on February 28, 2018 and at SEMC Ltd on January 31, 2018.

Under the proposals, the contract would not be renewed so therefore patients would be left high and dry by the start of next spring.

Click here to sign the petition