NHS HARROW has this week thanked former staff and doctors from The Village Surgery in Pinner for 'remaining extremely professional' in handling the sudden closure of the practice.

The authority has revealed that more than 13,000 patients were already on the books of The Pinn Medical Centre at the time of The Village Surgery's closure two weeks ago.

If all former patients follow the authority's advice and join The Pinn, its numbers will increase by more than half to 20,000.

In a statement, NHS Harrow spokesman, Abbas Poptani, said: "NHS Harrow would like to thank all staff at The Pinn Medical Centre - administrative staff and doctors, including those who have moved from The Village Surgery, for remaining extremely professional and very supportive of patients during a particularly difficult time.

"We recognise the continued commitment of Dr Sheridan and Dr Wong in their support of The Pinn Medical Centre, to ensure a safe and stable transition for patients.

"The service given to local patients by doctors at The Village Surgery over the last few decades and in the more recent past has been invaluable.

"The partners at The Village agreed to part ways after a long and successful period working together.

"As the partners were responsible for patients under the terms of their contract with NHS Harrow, the safest option for patients after the partnership had been dissolved was to agree to a termination so that alternative arrangements could be made immediately."

Patients who were regis-tered at The Village Surgery will continue to have access to care at The Pinn Medical Centre, or elsewhere if they wish.

To find out where you can register, call NHS Harrow on 020 8422 6644.