A PETITION calling for more support for a doctors’ surgery which was forced to close its list to new patients has gained nearly 900 signatures.

Residents in West Mersea have been calling for “urgent action” as Mersea Island Medical Practice, on Kingsland Road, closed its books for new patients in July.

The petition, which has been signed over six weeks both online and by hand by 871 people in total, says that more should be done to support the surgery.

Among the concerns is that the surgery could not cope with patient numbers because of housing development in the area, which has seen more than 200 new homes added.

Desperate - Mersea Island Medical Practice has been unable to take on new patients Desperate - Mersea Island Medical Practice has been unable to take on new patients (Image: Google Maps) The petition will be submitted to the ICB and to the Government as part of its public consultation on the NHS.

John Akker, 81, a former West Mersea Councillor, said: “Lots of people are fed up that despite promises, nothing has been done for 22 years when the NHS said new premises were needed.

“It shows how desperate the doctors are now to close their list.

“Something is not right—primary care needs to reflect such an aging population on Mersea.

“Residents want improvements for doctors promised by the new Government.

“It is unacceptable that more housing developments could take place following the revision to the Local Plan.”

Unacceptable - Former councillor John Akker is very concerned about the future of the surgery Unacceptable - Former councillor John Akker is very concerned about the future of the surgery (Image: John Akker) West Mersea houses one of the largest populations in the area outside the urban areas of Colchester, while patients for Mersea Island medical Practice also come from neighbouring villages.

The surgery announced from July 16 that it was “not able to” accept new patient registrations, including temporary residents, excluding new babies and immediate family members residing at the same address.

A spokesman for NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board said: “We have received a copy of the petition and would like to thank local people for sharing their views. 

“For some time, we have been working with the practice to identify ways for them to increase their capacity to provide services to local people. 

“We will share this valuable feedback with our colleagues at Mersea Island practice.”