A GP practice in Witney will close its doors for the last time on Friday, March 31 2017, health bosses have confirmed.

Some 4,400 patients at the Deer Park Medical Centre were informed last month that after failed contract negotiations the surgery would have to close.

For the time being people registered at the Edington Square practice are being told to stay put and, where possible, only switch to a new practice in the New Year.

The March 2017 deadline has been set by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to allow the other local practices, Windrush Medical Practice, Nuffield Health Centre and Cogges Surgery time to recruit extra GPs and staff, and prepare for the inflow of new patients. 

In a statement issued on Monday (24/10) the CCG said most patients will be able to register with the three Witney GPs, and all with one of the nine in West Oxfordshire.

It said: "We understand this is disappointing for patients and that many of you may be worried.

"One of our main concerns is for patients at Deer Park who are particularly vulnerable due to illness, frailty, disability, social issues or language barriers. Doctors at the practice are already identifying these patients to ensure a smooth transfer of their care.

"We would like to make it clear that closing the practice was not what OCCG would have chosen had other options been available."

Deer Park's contract to provide GP services was due to expire in November but OCCG was not able to find a replacement provider to Virgin Care.