A MEDITATION instructor has called for more funding for alternative health treatments in the wake of a doctor’s surgery closure.

John Kapp said the imminent closure of Eaton Place Surgery, leaving 5,000 patients to search for a new doctor, is a “terrible concern”.

A branch surgery of another practice may be in the pipeline for the site but this has not yet been guaranteed by NHS England and patients are still being told to find another doctor in the meantime.

Mr Kapp, who runs mindfulness cognitive therapy classes in Portslade two or three times a week, thinks funding urgently needs to be invested in other remedies such as meditation to stave off health problems as GP services run dry.

He said: “It is very worrying that the surgery will close and it is important a replacement is found for the patients. They are being told other GP surgeries are available but they are being turned away because they are too full.

“An investment in community care centres, where some mental and physical conditions can be resolved, may be part of the answer to the problem.”

The registered teacher runs two-and-a-half hour mindfulness classes in Boundary Road.

Participants attend a ten-week session and are guided through meditation to help stress, regulate their breathing and help them overcome their problems. No assessment is required, anyone can attend and donations are invited.

Mr Kapp said the sessions have helped people manage depression, addictions and other symptoms.

Kevin Williams, of Kemp Town, has been trying to tackling his depression for at least five years. He said he spends about £120 a year on medication which he doesn’t think is helping and is looking for an alternative.

He said: “I’ve been popping pills for five years and haven’t got any better to so I’ve come here in search of something else to help me.

“They have had other ramifications and I’ve suffered stress and anxiety and ended up turning to alcohol.

“It’s a vicious circle I want to get out of.

“I’m lucky to have a GP to go to but there needs to be other services on offer. They spend so much money on medication but maybe they could take that and focus it on other treatments instead.”

Mental health manager Diane Clark, of Hove, was one of around eight people attending a session The Argus visited.

She said: “People can feel abandoned if a doctor’s closes. Suddenly it’s gone. They need to find an alternative for everyone.”