ANXIOUS patients of a GP practice set to close at the end of the year have launched a petition in a bid to save it.

Those registered at the West Moors Group Practice in Church Road, Three Legged Cross will have to travel more than two miles further for appointments.

And they fear the decision will leave elderly people vulnerable.

Hundreds of people have already signed the petition after hearing they will have to travel to the practice’s main site in Station Road, West Moors when Rushmore House closes.

Patients have been reassured that they will be able to access all their usual services at Station Road.

But the sites are two-and-a-half miles apart.

The practice is run by business partners Dr Dominic Hennessy and Dr Mark Gorvin who said they have been given no choice but to close the satellite surgery.

They wanted to buy it from their landlord in order to invest in the building but were unable to agree a price.

Dr Hennessy said: “We really care about our patients and we hope they will choose to stay with us.”

He said the same number of appointments will be available, staffing will be the same and attempts will be made to coincide appointments with local bus times.

Dr Hennessy said volunteers from the Practice Champion Group also hope to provide transport for those unable to get to West Moors.

The petition has been started by Harjoat Aujli who said: “Sad to hear that the surgery will close, leaving many finding it hard to get to West Moors and to get an appointment.

“With so many elderly who use this local site and a lot of people without transport, how would they get there? Closing this would not benefit the locals.”

Patient Abby Jervis added: “The receptionists know me and my family and are always willing to go the extra mile for each patient.

“Having the doctors’s surgery in the village is so important to us.”

Gina Smith added: “It is crucial that there are enough surgeries around to ensure the support and care of those in the immediate community, especially the more vulnerable, older folk who struggle with transport.”

A message on the practice website says: “We recognise that this news may cause concerns amongst some people, but we can assure you that we will do all that we can to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

Information is available by calling 01202 811860 or 01202 865800.