A GP surgery with 1,000 patients is set to close this summer.

Patients at Esplanade Healthcare in Rochester will no longer be able to get a routine appointment with their doctor after June 30.

The surgery will be taking emergency appointments only until the end of July, when the practice is expected to shut.

The move has been prompted by GP Dr James Redman not renewing his contract with the NHS when it comes to an end in July.

Dr Dudley Hubbard, who also worked at the practice, retired last month.

When the Messenger spoke to a member of staff, she said the surgery was closing at the end of June.

But a spokesman for NHS England, which oversees GP care, would not confirm it.

She said: “Our priority is to ensure all affected patients have ongoing access to local GP services following the decision by Dr Redman to end his contract with NHS England to provide services at the Esplanade Healthcare centre in Rochester.

“We have written to patients to reassure them that we are working to secure alternative arrangements for their care and will work with NHS Medway Clinical Commissioning Group to identify the available options.

“Patients do not need to take any action at this point and can continue to receive their care from the surgery in the usual way in the meantime. We will update patients as soon as we are in a position to confirm new care arrangements for them.”

Another Rochester surgery closed in March. The Green Suite at Rochester Heathy Living Centre in Delce Road had 2,000 patients.