Thanks to patients of Norfolk Square Surgery

I feel honoured and privileged to have served them.

As many of you know, I retired from full-time practice in April 2008 and Maywood Healthcare Group took over the surgery.

I continued to work at Norfolk Square on a locum basis.

I would therefore like to make it clear that I had no part to play in the decision to close the surgery: Maywood Group negotiated with the PCT to make Norfolk Square into a branch surgery at the end of last year, but the decision had not been communicated to the patients.

In March this year letters were sent to inform patients that the surgery will close in September and that they would be transferred to Maywood Surgery unless they decide to move to another practice.

It is of great sadness that the doors have been closed on Norfolk Square Surgery, particularly as it was purpose-built to serve the community.

It made it possible for us to move from our old surgery in Sudley Road.

The location of the surgery at the corner of Norfolk Square and Aldwick Road was ideal because it filled a gap between the health centre in the town and the practices to the west and had almost become a landmark.

The closure will deprive some patients the convenience of visiting a surgery close by. Finally, I wish all my ex-patients many healthy years ahead. It was hard to say goodbye.

I also thank our dedicated team of staff who worked with me for many years and I wish them good luck for future.

Dr Faiz Rehman