Patients who claim it’s already “virtually impossible” to book a face-to-face GP appointment are baffled by a decision to merge two doctors’ surgeries.

Plans have been unveiled to join Sydenham House Medical Centre and Hollington Surgery in Ashford, to improve services.

Health chiefs say it will help staff be "more efficient in booking appointments and responding to queries".

But concerns have been raised about about how patients across both practices will be handled at a time when the phone lines at one are inundated with calls to book appointments.

Richard Firmin - who is registered at Sydenham House in Mill Court - has branded the changes “ludicrous”.

“It is already virtually impossible to get a face-to-face appointment at Sydenham House,” he said.

“The queue to get an answer on the phone is often in the 40s and the e-consult is restricted to two hours a day.

“I have also heard that once 30 patients have used it, the system refers you to 111.

“I just do not understand why everything has changed. Are there less doctors now, and what are the benefits to patients of the new system?”

Mr Firmin adds he can see the benefits of consultations online and over the phone, but says not everyone can explain their symptoms if not in person.

“Surely it is easier to diagnose a patient face to face than on the phone,” he said,

“It also makes me wonder how many underlying illnesses are being missed.

“Merging more surgeries just seems ludicrous, especially as they have effectively mothballed Musgrove as a surgery, which is more accessible to many people in south Ashford, where the initial surgery’s patient base was.

“I think there should have been a discussion certainly to see what the possible implications of such a merge could be on the patients and why it has become so difficult to see a doctor.”

A spokesperson for Sydenham House said: “Hollington Surgery and Sydenham House Medical Centre are planning to merge together to offer patients an improved service.

“The two practices have worked closely together for many years and by formally merging, patients will be able to use the facilities at either centre.

“Under the proposal, both buildings will remain open and there will be no change to opening hours.

"It will also help us become more efficient in booking appointments and responding to queries if we use the same computer system.”