Fifteen people were left queuing outside a doctor's surgery in the hope of getting an appointment as temperatures dipped to zero.

Danielle Virgo attended the Church Lane surgery in New Romney to help her elderly father be seen by a doctor.

But the pair were left in "disbelief" at the size of the queue where some patients had been waiting for an hour.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I arrived, it was unbelievable," said the 36-year-old.

"There was a lady in front of me who had sore legs but there wasn’t anywhere to sit down.

“Some people had got there at 7am but the surgery doesn’t open the door let people sit down.

“We were shocked, annoyed and very cold. The temperature was below freezing."

A spokesman for the surgery was unavailable for comment.

Mrs Virgo, who owns Sweets and Treats on New Romney High Street, said she felt lucky be able to book her father an appointment but complained about the lack of regular doctors.

"We were shocked, annoyed and very cold... the temperature was below freezing" - Danielle Virgo

The surgery is run by Invicta Health, a community interest company formed by GP shareholders.

Its contract comes to an end on April 30 throwing confusion on some 6,000 patients about who will provide healthcare.

A letter to patients last year explained the contract held by Invicta Health expires in April.

South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group (SKCCG) this year issued another letter reassuring patients, saying they will be cared for at the practice but negotiations are still underway over who will provide care.

Meanwhile, the CCG is working to contend with increasing healthcare demand and an ageing population.

A "healthcare hub" consisting of GPs, nurses and physiotherapists is set to open 12 hours a day in April.

The centre, at the Romney Marsh Day Centre in Rolfe Lane, will offer same-day minor illness appointments.

Eventually the CCG hopes to extend the service to a new site on land in Station Road near the Marsh Academy.

This an area that has been earmarked for healthcare development by Shepway District Council.

In time the centre will offer minor operations to ease the pressure on hospital waiting times.