A busy surgery in Colchester town centre has announced it is set to close.

North Hill Surgery, located in North Hill, is set to close “shortly”, with patients being transferred to other surgeries run by Creffield Medical Group.

According to practice bosses, the lease on its premises in North Hill is set to expire, and the owner is planning to sell the building.

A note to patients posted on North Hill Surgery’s website said: “It is with sadness that we are notifying you that the current lease on the North Hill Surgery and Nunns Road building will shortly come to an end as the owners have decided to sell it.

“The staff of North Hill Surgery will be relocating between our other practices at West Bergholt Surgery, Nayland Surgery and Creffield Medical Centre.

“In order to help us manage where we distribute the doctors, nurses and administrative staff we would like to ask you for your opinion on where you would prefer to be seen in the future.”

A questionnaire is available from the surgery’s reception asking patients which surgery they would prefer to be seen at in the future.

The note continued: “Alternatively please find a copy of this questionnaire on our website which you can then email to northhillsurgery@nhs.net.

“We will be producing a Frequently Asked Questions document within the next month and this will be available in the surgery or online.

"We are aware that this change will cause uncertainty and inconvenience for our patients and we are grateful for your views.”

The surgery would not confirm a date for the closure.

A spokesman added: “We have been in discussion with both our Patient Participation Group and our staff regarding the site closure, and will be engaging further with our patients with regards to options.

"The CCG is supporting us to limit the impact on patients.”

Last year, Creffield Medical Centre, merged with the North Hill Medical Group and Layer Road Surgery to create Creffield Medical Group, which has around 31,000 patients.

Visit www.northhillsurgery.co.uk.