GAZETTE & HERALD: FAMILIES in Chippenham fear they will be left struggling to get a doctor's appointment when Dr Barney Williams' surgery closes tomorrow.

MP James Gray has added his concerns to the growing anger about the way the closure has been handled and the temporary transferral of all the patients on Dr Williams' list to the Hathaway Surgery in New Road.

He said: "I am glad that the Hathaway Surgery is providing cover for Dr Williams' 3,000 patients from the end of January. But I have yet to be persuaded that they have the necessary resources and manpower to offer a fully-fledged service to all the Marshfield Road patients."

But Andy Briggs, practice manager at the Hathaway Surgery, which currently has 10,400 patients on its list, said it had measures in place to cope with the influx of new patients.

Mr Briggs said: "We have appointed two new doctors, one new nurse and has the services of two locum nurses.

"Discussions with Marshfield Road Surgery's remaining doctor, nurses and administrative staff are ongoing to explore whether any of them wish to transfer with the patients during this interim period."

Dr Christine Voss, the part-time doctor who assisted Dr Williams at Marshfield Road Surgery, will no longer be able to practise there because Dr Williams was the registered head of the practice.

Marshfield Road Surgery patients with repeat prescriptions should submit them to Hathaway Surgery and identify a collection point and contact telephone number.

Patient records are being transferred to Hathaway, but Mr Briggs said: "If patients are concerned that Hathaway Surgery may not have their medical records they can apply to Marshfield Road Surgery for a copy of both computer and paper records."

He said the arrangements were an interim measure and added: "Our concern is that the transition is smooth and successful and we hope to deliver good quality patient care."

Dr Williams said yesterday he still hoped for a last minute stay of execution. Yesterday morning he received papers relating to the decision not to grant him a General Medical Services NHS contract and the PCT told patients Dr Williams could appeal to the Family Health Service Appeal Authority a process that could take three months to settle.

"They ought to halt the closure to give me reasonable chance to make the appeal," Dr Williams said. He also assured patients his surgery doors would be open on Monday if they wanted to come in and talk to him.

The changes come as plans to open a new GP surgery on the Allington School site were revealed. The Hathaway Surgery, based in outdated premises, will open the new 21st century surgery with room for 15,000 patients, a dentist, a pharmacy, and attached Primary Health Care Team.