A GP surgery due to close in the autumn will not be replaced.

About 2,000 patients at the Ridgeway Surgery in Woodingdean, Brighton, will have to register with a new practice.

Health bosses say patients do not need to do anything at the moment and information about the next steps to take will be sent out in due course.

The Ridgeway will continue to run as normal until September 30 and then will provide emergency appointments only until October 31.

It is the eighth surgery in Brighton and Hove to close in the last two years, sparking concerns about whether other practices will be able to cope with increased demand.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We are currently undertaking the preparatory work for alternative arrangements for care for these patients and will be informing them of what the next steps will be as soon possible.

“In the meantime, they do not need to do anything and should be reassured that they will continue to have access to general practice services in the future.”

In a question and answer document for patients, the CCG said the two doctors at the Ridgeway are exploring other options in the area and may choose to work in other surgeries in the future.

The CCG said patients will be able to choose which surgery they register with, dependent on which boundary areas they live in.

This means that patients will be able to choose which surgery they register with, dependent on which boundary areas they live in.

A letter will be sent out by the first week of September telling patients of the date from which local surgeries will be accepting new patients and how to register.

Patients are also advised to ensure they go to their GP to get an adequate supply of their medications to last the period over October 31 before they register with their next practice.

The CCG is working with the practice to make sure the records of vulnerable patients and those with complex conditions are appropriately detailed and ready for transfer to their new GP by the end of October.

There is a national shortage of GPs, with growing pressures and demands leading to fewer medics taking up training.

As existing GPs retire or withdraw for a contract, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacements.

This has lead to more surgeries having to extend their patient lists.

Healthwatch Brighton and Hove chief executive David Liley previously told The Argus the closure would be difficult and inconvenient for patients and said he had concerns about the viability of the system if more surgeries shut.