More than 1,000 patients are without a GP following the closure last week of Dover Medical Practice.

Cllr Pat Heath, Dover District Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said people in this situation can access help at drop-in sessions at the practice for a further two months.

Concordia Health retracted its contract early and this was announced some six months ago. Petitions and protests did not persuade NHS England to keep the practice open.

The practice accommodated 3,457 patients before its closure last Friday. About 2,000 have managed to find an alternative.

The issue was discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Ben Bano asked: “Following the withdrawal of Concordia from its east Kent GP contracts, what steps has the portfolio holder for health and wellbeing taken to ensure patients on the lists of the Dover Medical Practice will continue to receive primary health care services with a GP of their choice?”

Cllr Heath responded: “Our MP took a petition to the House of Commons but further to the decision made by NHS England they were asked to attend a meeting on health and wellbeing.”

The South Kent Coast Health and Wellbeing Board met members of the council and gave an update on the matter.

Cllr Heath said: “Dover Medical Practice had 3,457 registered patients and 2,000 are now without a practice.

'Dover Medical Practice had 3,457 registered patients and 2,000 are now without a practice.' - Cllr Pat Heath

“For the remaining patients that have not registered, there are drop-in sessions. Pencester Health is happy to accept people for registration and this will continue for two months.”

When asked if Cllr Heath was happy with NHS England’s decision to close the practice, he said: “Of course I wasn’t happy.”

He said during the meeting councillors gave representatives a “hard time” and confirmed the drop-in sessions would help people who still need to re-register.