A COUNCILLOR has branded the sudden closure of a Basingstoke surgery as "a disgrace".

Cllr David Potter, an independent councillor in Popley East, told The Gazette that he would be contacting the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to find out the reason for the closure that has left scores of patients unable to attend appointments or get prescriptions this morning.

As previously reported, Shakespeare Road Medical Practice, previously known as Bermuda and Marlowe, turned patients away on Wednesday morning.

It is currently unknown why the surgery has closed and if or when it will reopen, although one source told The Gazette that it was due to "contractual issues", with the surgery currently being taken over by Bramblys Grange practice.

Cllr Potter, who previously expressed his disappointment when it was revealed last year that the partners had not renewed their contract, said he was left unaware that the surgery was closing until he had a call from a resident this morning.

He told The Gazette on Wednesday lunchtime: "I am staggered really. I just picked up on a phone call giving me a tip off about this.

"It was only a matter of a week or two ago that the CCG were singing its praises about how well they have done and a bright future, and here we go again.

"The abject part of it is that there was no consultation with the patients who depend on the GP surgery. It is unbelievable really in a modern health society.

"I don't know the reasons but we will be making urgent enquiries."

The councillor continued: "It is a disgrace and I will be making representations to the CCG as best I can.

"This does nothing to maintain confidence in a GP service in Basingstoke if you don't know what GP service you are with one day to the next".

He added that he was "outraged", labelling the situation as "unacceptable".

The CCG has been contacted for comment.