PATIENTS will face a two-hour round trip bus journey if a GP surgery closes.

Angry residents gathered outside Methodist Church Hall in The Ridgeway, Woodingdean, this afternoon where a meeting took place between patients and Brighton and Hove Clinical Commission Group (CCG).

The closure of Meadow Parade Surgery, in Meadow Parade, Rottingdean, would mean more than 10,000 patients would be moved to St Luke’s Surgery in Saltdean.

Andy Wilson, 65, of New Barn Road, Rottingdean, has set up a petition on the 38 Degrees website to save the surgery.

He said: “I’ve been a patient at Meadow Parade Surgery for more than 20 years. More than 1,400 have signed the petition. This surgery is easily accessible by patients, I’ve always walked to the surgery.

“This will add unnecessary pressure on St Luke’s Surgery. I’ve spoken to several elderly patients who said they will need to take a bus, which is a two-hour round trip.”

Mr Wilson’s daughter, Cliona May, 23, also from New Barn Road, said: “I don’t drive, so for me to get to St Luke’s Surgery I need to catch two buses for a one-way trip. We’re looking at a two-hour round trip.

“If you have an emergency it’s not good enough.

“I’ve been a patient with Meadow Parade Surgery for 12 years and I’ve always walked to the surgery.

“In February I had appendicitis but I was able to get to the surgery easily.

“However, if I had appendicitis now and my surgery is at Saltdean who knows what would have happened to me.”

Ward councillor Joe Miller also attended the meeting. He said: “Surgeries are closing at an alarming rate as the NHS is going for a hub model.

“The council supports the residents’ campaign to keep the surgery open. We are applying as much pressure as possible on the CCG.”

Meadow Parade Surgery is a branch surgery of Saltdean and Rottingdean Surgery. It proposes to close Meadow Parade Surgery this September.

Dr David Supple, clinical chairman of Brighton and Hove CCG, said: “There is no need for patients registered at Meadow Parade Surgery to do anything to get a new GP, they will be automatically registered at Saltdean as part of any closure process.

“The doctors have assured us they can offer a far superior and safer service at their main surgery in Saltdean, than if they maintain the branch site.”