THE future of a satellite doctors’ surgery in Wootton has been thrown into doubt after it was branded “unfit for practice”.

A NHS Oxfordshire building inspection has reported the Besselsleigh Road surgery needs modernisation.

Botley Medical Centre, which runs the satellite surgery, will now consult on its future – with closure as one of its options.

One patient, who said the surgery’s service has deteriorated, warned closure would leave pateints facing a four-mile journey to Botley.

The surgery was deemed “unfit for practice” and consultation was needed if GP bosses wanted to close it, the medical centre’s patient participation group said.

A statement from the group stated: “The consultation will allow patients to express their opinions on the importance of a surgery at Wootton to the local community.”

The surgery’s lease expired at the end of the month but the practice will continue on a rolling three- month contract, it said.

The practice confirmed the information was correct but would not comment further on its future. It said: “A full consultation with the Wootton patients would be undertaken before any decisions regarding the closure of the Wootton branch surgery would be considered.”

An NHS Oxfordshire spokesman said: “The inspection identified that there are some areas of modernisation and improvement that are needed at Wootton Branch Surgery – for example, ramps to improve access.

“This does not affect the surgery’s current day-to-day operation and appointments with patients.”

A full consultation will go to the NHS Commissioning Board Local Area Team for a final decision.

Wootton patient Sue Srawley, 62, said: “We are concerned we are going to lose our surgery. It would be absolutely appaling.”

There is an hourly Oxford Bus Company Number 4 service between Wootton and Botley, which takes about 15 minutes.

She said: “You can take three hours to get there and back. If you are a pensioner you can only use your pass at certain times.”

The Dry Sandford resident also said hours were often cut, days changed and appointments cancelled.

A statement from doctors at Botley Surgery said the Wootton sessions, which are only held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, would only be cancelled “in exceptional circumstances”, such as if the doctor was unwell.

Botley Medical Centre has three partners and a locum doctor and about 8,300 people on its register.

Wootton Pharmacy owner Duncan Rand said: “It will affect me, business wise. I don’t know how much as it is only twice a week.

“It will be more an issue for the patients getting to [Botley] surgery.”

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood has met with the practice and NHS managers but declined to comment until meeting patients to discuss their concerns.

In September, the Oxford Mail reported how more than 150 patients attended a party to bid farewell to the Dr Lesek ‘Les’ Blazewicz, 65, who saw patients at both branches.

The Botley centre is also recruiting two new GPs.