It's hard enough to get to see a GP as it

COUNCILLOR'S ANGER OVER DECISION TO CLOSE SURGERY SERVING 5,700 PATIENTS - AS BOSSES BLASTED OVER 'POOR COMMUNICATION'

- DAMON AND NICK JACKSON KINSON

A GP SURGERY with thousands of patients on its books has announced it is to close next month - because health bosses are unable to replace a retiring doctor.

Grove Medical Practice, run out of Timperley Medical Centre in Trafford, will shut its doors on September 30.

The wider health centre is not affected. The surgery's 5,700 patients will be transferred to the village's three other practices - two of which operate in the same building. It is understood a number of doctors have left the practice in recent months, while senior GP Dr Devang Shah retired last year.

A memo seen by the M.E.N. penned by Sara Todd, place lead for health and care integration in Trafford and Dr Manish Prasad, associate medical director for Trafford at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care - details the reasons for the closure.

Following the retirement of Dr Shah, a caretaking arrangement began in which the practice was temporarily looked after by Delamere Medical Practice. This arrangement is now coming to an end, the memo reads.