Patients lobby Parliament

The 1,700-signature petition will be handed over to North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who will pass it on to the Department of Health.

With just two weeks to go until an appeal into Dr Williams' case, patients of his Marshfield Road Surgery in Chippenham are keen to keep up the pressure and let the authorities understand how much they want their doctor to be readmitted to the NHS.

Hundreds of his supporters attended a public meeting at Sheldon School in Chippenham on Tuesday to quiz Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust chief executive Stephen Golledge about the closure of the surgery.

The PCT refused to renew Dr Williams' contract with the NHS following a dispute over the provision of out of hours care.

Dr Williams withdrew his provision of out of hours cover, saying he was unable to work 24hours, 365 days a year, and his contract was terminated on the advice of an independent adjudicator.

Mr Golledge told the meeting he had never criticised the clinical care offered by Dr Williams and the surgery, and said the contract was terminated solely on the issue of out of hours care.

However, come the appeal, he confirmed "other matters" would be brought up against Dr Williams.

He declined to report what the matters might be, except to say one related to difficulties collecting mail from the surgery, after the NHS contract was terminated.

Mr Golledge also confirmed doctors would be able to opt out of providing out of hours care by January 2005 but nevertheless refused to support Dr Williams' readmission to the NHS contract saying it was now up to the appeals process to decide.

He added: "I acknowledge it is regrettable the PCT reached a position of impasse with Dr Williams. This is my first experience of a breakdown in relations between the NHS and a GP."

Patients and ex-patients wishing to join the coach trip to Parliament on April 29, should ring (01249) 650979.