ANGRY patients have hit out at health bosses after their GP surgery was “closed by stealth” at the end of a two year saga.

Epping Close Surgery, in Great Clacton, shut in March 2014 for repairs due to a leaking underground pipe.

It was originally meant to be closed for three months while work was carried out, with patients sent to the surgery in Kennedy Way on a temporary basis.

But the Epping Close doors remained shut and patients feared health chiefs planned to keep is closed.

After nearly two years it has now been confirmed at last that the surgery will not re-open.

Great Clacton resident and former councillor Peter Halliday campaigned against the closure while on Tendring Council.

He said: “We were all worried about this from day one. It seemed that they might be trying to close the surgery by stealth and that is exactly what’s happened.

“I think it’s quite appalling.

“It is in direct contradiction to what everyone wanted. It beggars belief they have been able to do this.”

Former Epping Close patients will now have to choose to stay at the Kennedy Way surgery or move on to a different surgery.

Mr Halliday added: “Kennedy Way is only a mile and a half away, but for some of the elderly residents who now have to travel there that is a long way.

“It is not easy for them to get to and some have to take costly taxis or the bus.

“This is exactly why we fought to keep Epping Close open.

“It is short-sighted. It was a good facility and to shut it when we are going to have an influx of new people over the next few years due to housing plans is just ridiculous.”

Health chiefs say absorbing Epping Close into one of the nearby surgeries will lead to better care for patients.

Carolyn Larsen, head of commissioning for NHS England in the east, said: “Following serious flooding Epping Close Surgery was moved to the premises at Kennedy Way, where it continues to provide services to its patients, as the premises at Epping Close failed to meet infection control standards.

“NHS England has been looking at options for the surgery including the co-location in Kennedy Way with Frinton Road and the Great Clacton Medical practice.

“Not only would this provide a high standard of accommodation, it would allow the practices to work together and share resources and potentially mean more services available.

“NHS England’s priority is to ensure high quality GP services from the best premises available.”