A beleagured doctors’ surgery has been forced to take drastic measures as it struggles with just a third of the space it needs.

Mount Chambers Surgery in Coggeshall Road, Braintree, which has 13,700 patients, had to close its register as part of its long fought campaign for a new premises.

The lease for a typical surgery of its size would normally cost the NHS about £15 per patient per year but the current site costs £2.90.

The 1940s building is currently 350sqm but practice manager Peter Hadfield estimates it should be 1,000sqm.

He said: “In terms of north east, mid and west Essex we are by far the most needy practice for new premises, by far.

“We would love to expand the surgery but we simply don’t have any room, we would like to take on more doctors and nurses.”

The surgery has been applying for a new site since 2004 and since then has had eight bids either rejected or postponed.

It is feared the surgery would not a Care Quality Commission inspection in the category of providing a safe environment.

There is not enough room for the 30 plus doctors, nurses and staff, who frequently have to swap desks, rooms and all share one toilet.