RESIDENTS have vowed to 'fight until the bitter end' to save a doctor's surgery in Northwood from closure.

About 10,000 patients are set to be affected by proposals to shut the branch of Mountwood Surgery at Northwood Health Centre, in Acre Way.

The plans will force people to make longer, more difficult journeys to Mountwood's main surgery, in the grounds of Mount Vernon Hospital, in Rickmansworth Road.

Branch practice manager, Gillian Tobin, told the Gazette she was in the process of informing 10,000 patients about the potential closure, but refused to comment further.

But in a letter to patients seen by the Gazette, Mrs Tobin said it is becoming 'increasingly difficult to staff two sites'.

"We do not offer nursing appointments at the branch surgery since we do not have adequate storage space for their dressings and equipment," she wrote.

Mrs Tobin also said feedback from almost all patients indicated they were happy with the main surgery, which opened four years ago.

She added it had excellent facilities with 'bus stops in easy reach'.

Chairman of the Northwood Hills Residents Association (NHRA), Andrew Riley, has united with Northwood Residents' Association (NRA) chairman, Tony Ellis, to oppose the scheme.

They are setting up a joint petition to fight the closure.

Mr Riley said: "We are extremely concerned about these proposals, which on the face of it seem to be for the financial reward of the practice. I know this will have a serious impact on a number of patients, particularly the elderly and those who are less mobile.

"Rather than close the surgery, we are seeking funding for a new purpose-built triage health care facility, on the site of the Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital, in Pinner Road. We have the support of Nick Hurd MP and we are determined to fight this to the bitter end."

Mr Ellis added: "This is a very retrograde step and will make surgery attendance much more difficult for the elderly. Access from Mount Vernon is not easy as there is a steep hill between the bus stop and the surgery and / or a busy main road to cross where there is no pedestrian crossing. Doctors should be expanding their services, not curtailing them."

A spokesperson for Hillingdon PCT said the decision to close the branch surgery is for Mountwood Surgery to make, in consultation with the PCT and patients. A public consultation will end on July 31, 2011.

Patients can express their views by writing to Mrs Tobin at Mountwood Surgery, Neal Close, Acre Way, Northwood, HA6 1TQ. Visit www.mountwoodsurgery.co.uk

For more information about the petition, email Mr Ellis at aandmriley@sky.com

What do you think? How will the proposals affect you? Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk or post a comment at http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk