PATIENTS of Colnbrook medical centre will soon have to travel to Langley to see a GP after a row over rent prices which has forced the Orchard surgery to close its doors.

The Slough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said on Wednesday that a significant rent increase at the Colnbrook branch surgery has made it “financially unviable” to continue at the site in High Street.

GPs from the practice have explored many options with local NHS organisations and Colnbrook Parish Council members. However, they have been unable to find alternative premises.

As a result, they have opted to apply to close the branch surgery.

Dr Nazaff Adam, Managing Partner at Langley Health Centre, suggested work was still being done to find an alternative location for the surgery, but that staying where they are now was not a possibility.

He said: “The practice has needed to act on this change and we would like to assure patients that we will continue to work with Colnbrook Parish Council, Slough Borough Council and Slough Clinical Commissioning Group to find alternative premises for the branch surgery in Colnbrook.

“However, the cost of the current premises is unreasonable and is not sustainable in the long term. As a result, the practice needs to withdraw from the lease by March 2017.”

In a separate statement released by Colnbrook With Poyle Parish Council, a similar message was conveyed.

They stated that the parish council had held their own discussions with the landlord to explain the impact that losing the surgery would cause and asking for reconsideration of the rent, but they were told there was no room to manoeuvre.

Consumer Watchdog Healthwatch praised the efforts of the surgery to keep Colnbrook residents informed and said patients could expect a high level of care at Langley health centre.

Healthwatch Slough manager Nicola Strudley said: “The consultations held with the patients were exemplary by the partners. They took great care to keep people informed.

“All patients from Colnbrook will automatically be registered with Langley as their surgery was more of a satellite surgery for that place anyway.

“Langley health centre is the only surgery in East Berkshire rated as outstanding by CCGs so it is the best surgery in East Berkshire.”

Dr Adam added that the community value of the surgery had not been forgotten by those at the surgery, who would try and keep it open as long as possible.

He said: “Together with my GP partners at Langley Health Centre, we recognise the value of the branch surgery for patients and the community and are keen to do all we can to maintain the service and will be working hard to keep the practice open as long as possible until the end of February.”