A DOCTORS surgery is closing down after at least 40 years service in the community.

Thurrock CCG confirmed Ash Tree Surgery, Fobbing Road, Corringham will close on January 11, 2019.

Patients were sent a letter last week about the closure and have been left angry.

One patient said: "We as a family have been attending this practice for over 40 years and the practice has served the community well.

"The other patients and ourselves are horrified that this could happen, that because one doctor is retiring the NHS has decreed that it cannot run as a one doctor surgery.

"Although for many years it did so.

"We have been told that there is going to be a consultation with patients and NHS with 10min slots at Corringham Library on December 11between 6pm to 8 pm.

"We will be trying to get a slot, if not will be going anyway."

The surgery told the Thurrock Gazette it could not comment.

Mandy Ansell, accountable officer at the Thurrock CCG said: “Whilst we realise that the closure of any practice can be upsetting for patients, we are confident that patients will have a choice of practices in the locality that they can register at.

“Mr Cheung, who is the lead clinician at Ash Tree surgery, has decided to leave after 35 years’ service. Thurrock CCG has worked closely with NHS England, who commission primary care services in Thurrock, to transform an out dated model of single handed GP practices to an offer of a variety of health care professionals, including clinical pharmacists, more than one GP, nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics.

"This is what we are working to provide across the borough so that there will be more appointments available and more opportunity to see the right health care professional for each particular health concern.”