The futures of two Allington surgeries are in doubt after GPs announced they are due to leave.

Veteran GP Dr Robert Mennie has announced his retirement in a letter to Allington Park surgery patients.

In his letter, the 62-year-old explains he has spent three years trying to save the practice, which could close in his absence.

He wrote: “A merger with our neighbouring practice fell through in part due to the difficulties of funding a small surgery.

“Politically there is less support for a small surgery and running a small surgery is less economic”

The GP, who has served Allington for 32 years, explained plans to build new premises in Waitrose car park on Castle Road fell through as NHS England does not fund new premises for surgeries of less than 8000 patients.

"At this stage in my career the long hours have been simply too much for me" - Dr Robert Mennie

The surgery, which cares for 2,565 patients, is now expected to close on May 31 unless a larger practice takes over.

Dr Mennie’s letter adds: “Unfortunately, over the last two years I have started to feel the pressure of working very long hours. Often 12 hours or more per day.

“At this stage in my career the long hours have been simply too much for me.

“It has been a privilege to have cared for you and all my patients at Allington and the surrounding area.”

The surgery could close after Dr Mennie’s last day on May 31.

Allington Clinic’s Dr Mayur Vibhuti has handed in his notice to leave the Tichborne Close surgery on May 31, bringing GP services to a close at the site.

The surgery cares for 2,446 people.

A statement from the clinic reads: "Despite attempts over the past 2 years to look at solutions to continue to offer a service to our patients at the practice or at an alternative location a viable option has not been achievable.

"Thus, it is with deep regret, we feel we have no choice, but to take this course of action. We wish all our patients the very best for the future; it has been an honour to serve you all."

Both surgeries are rated good across the board by the Care and Quality Commission.

Chief operating officer at NHS West Kent Clinicial Commissioning Group, Gail Arnold, said: “It is not necessarily the case that the practices will close.

“It is our priority to ensure all patients have ongoing access to local GP services and care after this date and we are writing to all affected patients to reassure them that we are working to secure alternative arrangements for their care. At the moment patients do not need to do anything and can continue to access services at their practice until May 31.

“It is possible that we will need to ask patients to register with a new GP practice in order to secure their future care. If this is the case, all patients will be given as much notice and support as possible to register with a new local practice.”