NORTH Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has challenged the head of NHS England over cuts which could force a surgery to close.

Rowhedge Surgery is one of 98 surgeries across the country which are losing tens of thousands of pounds in funding because NHS England is reallocating money to older people initially put aside young people.

The cuts mean the surgery’s Essex University practice is under threat and already it has had to close on Wednesday afternoons because of the cuts.

During a meeting of the Public Administration select committee, chairman Mr Jenkin questioned Simon Stevens on the cuts.

He also said NHS England had become unaccountable after he was asked to take the issue up with both the Department for Health and NHS England, neither of which could help him.

Mr Jenkin said: “I am left with a feeling that the system is not accountable, because the consequences of what is being done are being disclaimed by the Minister; he explains it, but he says it is your policy, but you are not accountable.”

Mr Stevens said the young people’s subsidy was “unfair” which meant some practices are “earning” double what they should be.