PATIENTS of Princess Street surgery in Slough have shared their stories of the popular and accessible practice that has been serving the area for more than 50 years.

The Slough practice serves between 2 and 3,000 registered patients but is to close in October when the lease runs out. Slough's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has already decided that it cannot continue running as a branch surgery and should amalgamate with Manor Park surgery in Lerwick Drive.

But Partner GP, Dr Kesar Sadhra, is campaigning for a new site instead in Wexham Road, which is closer to Princes Street, and negotiations are ongoing with the CCG. 

Maaz Mir, the senior receptionist at the surgery said many of the patients were “like family”.

“Many of them have been coming to us for decades” she said. “We’ve built that important relationship with them, we understand their needs. I greeted the patients by name, I knew them all well.

“They are gutted that we are closing down – quite distraught.”

A petition is being carried out by Mrs Mir to urge the CCG to grant approval for the proposed Wexham Road location. It has already gathered between 400-500 signatures, and has been put forward by Dr Sadhra.

Manzoor Ahmed, 71, said: “I would like it to move to Wexham because it would still be very near. Manor Park is very far. I have no transportation, nothing. It would be very convenient for me.”

Mohammed Arif, 70, an ex-councillor, said: “Patients need a reasonable alternative. I’m old, and my wife is old as well. I don’t want to drive as I have a replacement hip. I would much prefer to walk. Princess Street was very convenient for me. I must insist to the CCG that the surgery be relocated to the vicinity.”

Dr. Sadhra’s daughter, Simran, 15, said of her father: “He plays a big role in the community. He’s always busy helping other people.”

“It’s just his passion for his work that inspired him to try and set up this new location. He fights for it all the time.”

Dr Sadhra, 60, said at a recent meeting: “The CCG has listened to patients and their voices today. They will certainly entertain taking things in the right direction.”