A GP surgery responsible for the care of 14,000 patients in Basingstoke has closed its doors and is not seeing patients today.

Shakespeare Road Medical Practice in Popley, which was formerly known as Bermuda and Marlowe, turned away patients waiting for appointments this morning and are directing anyone needing an appointment or prescription to call 111.

The surgery was taken over by Bramblys Grange, another Basingstoke surgery, at the start of April after the partners at Bermuda and Marlowe did not renew their contract.

It is currently unknown why the surgery has closed, although one source told The Gazette that it was because of "contractual issues".

One patient, who was due to receive an important injection this morning, has said the confusion has left him feeling "anxious", calling it a "scandal".

The patient, who wished not to be named, said that when he was queuing for his appointment this morning, he was turned away and told that the surgery was closed until further notice.

He was advised to call 111, and then the Bramblys Grange surgery, and said that staff were just as confused about what was happening.

He also said he was worried he would not be able to get his medication in time.

"I am an MS sufferer and have a lot of medication on a daily basis," he told The Gazette.

"I order my medication online which makes it easy, but now if I don't take this medication it will render me in a wheelchair.

"I am stressing and that is the worst thing when you have got MS.

"Both the doctors that new of my MS are no longer at the surgery and it has left me anxious because both surgeries don't know what is going on. No one knows.

"It has turned into a scandal."

Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG, who are responsible for primary care in the county, have been contacted for comment and to find out why the surgery has closed.

Bramblys Grange was awarded a short-term 'caretaker' contract to run the Shakespeare Road surgery from April 1 to October, before it takes over the surgery full-time from the autumn.

A recent update posted on their website about the takeover said: "We would like to assure you the Bermuda and Marlowe Practice will remain open and you will continue to be able access appointments and healthcare services as usual."