A NYTHE man has hit out after it was announced that his GP surgery would close.

The 25-year-old, who visits Nythe Surgery every month for an arthritis check-up, is unhappy that the doctors’ surgery is to shut – apparently without first consulting patients.

It was announced yesterday that the Keble Close surgery would shut at the end of March. Patients will be transferred to Eldene Health Centre.

Chris Litten, who has been registered with the surgery since he was a child, told the Adver: “The surgery has been around for as long as I can remember.

“I think it will be a shame to see our local health services reduced even further without getting public opinion and having a debate on if it’s the right thing to do for the residents.

“The Nythe Surgery has been around since I was a child. I think it’s a really good place for locals to go if they need to see a doctor. For it to be shut down so suddenly seems really strange. It’s going to affect everyone in the local area.”

He has submitted a petition on Swindon Borough Council’s website in a bid to prompt a debate about the closure.

Swindon health chiefs announced yesterday that the surgery would close by April 1. 

The closure has been prompted by the merger of Eldene Health Centre and the town centre based Victoria Cross Surgery, following the retirement of Dr Richard Guilding, the sole GP partner at Eldene.

Nythe is currently a branch of the Victoria Cross Surgery.

Dr Guilding said he was “delighted” with the merger, saying it would benefit patients.

“Victoria Cross Surgery is an established practice and I am confident that this merger will have a positive impact on the care of patients” he said.

Dr Philip Bauliah, GP partner at Victoria Cross Surgery, said: “Dr Guilding and his team have provided excellent primary care services for many years at Eldene Health Centre. 

“We know he will be greatly missed by his patients and staff on his retirement. We would like to reassure patients that they are at the heart of all our plans and that we will continue to provide primary care services at the practice sites.”

He said that the merger would improve the sustainability of the Victoria Cross Surgery and enable more training opportunities and support for staff.

Paul Vater of NHS Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, said the changes would result in “greater choice” for patients.

He said: “We are very pleased to see that GP Practices have worked together in Swindon for the benefit of patients.”