A GP practice in Whitehill and Bordon is to close its doors for the final time this week, but the impact on town waiting times remains unclear.

Woolmer Surgery, a branch of the Riverside Practice in Liss, will see its last patients tomorrow, Friday.

The surgery has been operating on reduced opening hours for most of the year because of problems with doctor recruitment.

Two GPs left in five months and attempts to replace them proved unsuccessful, reflecting a problem also experienced in other parts of the country.

Patients have been aware since April that the surgery would be closing, but have now been informed of the date.

Woolmer patients can now either stay with the Riverside Practice, and see their GP at Riverside Kelsey in Liss, or re-register with another surgery of their choice. The two suggested practices are Pinehill Surgery, in Pinehill Road, or the Forest Surgery, in Forest Road.

Registration figures are released quarterly so the impact of the closure on neighbouring GP practices remains to be seen.

It has been suggested, however, that surgeries in Bordon can cater for an increase in patient numbers following a population dip with the Army’s departure at the end of last year.

Practice partner Dr Charles Dawson, a GP in Bordon and Liss for many years years, said private day nursery Tootsies would be moving into the surgery building.

“I am pleased that a business which will serve the community is taking over the building rather than it remain empty or be developed for housing,” Dr Dawson said.

“Nonetheless, it still remains that it will be incredibly hard for me to leave after 16 years.

“I would like to thank all my patients for their patience and understanding over these past few months and if they require any help or guidance, or are unsure about anything within this notice, they are asked to please contact us so that we may assist them.”

Earlier this year, the Clinical Commissioning Group wrote to all Woolmer patients when it was known the surgery would have to close. There have also been notices on the practice and NHS Choices websites.

“While a number of patients have decided to stay with the practice and travel to Liss, others have instead moved to the two other GP practices in the town,” a Clinical Commissioning Group spokesman said.

“The closure has been approved by the NHS South Eastern Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s primary care commissioning committee.”

Hampshire County Councillor Adam Carew is himself registered at Woolmer.

“Charles Dawson and Woolmer Surgery have served this community for many years,” he said.

“Charles is an excellent GP and I know he has not taken this decision lightly.

“There is a national shortage of doctors, and since two of his team left to go elsewhere he has not been able to replace them.

“A number of patients have chosen to stay with the practice and will now transfer to Liss.

“My mother was practice manager at both surgeries for many years - under Dr John Mark and Dale Egerton before Charles Dawson took over - so we will be particularly sad to see it close. I am pleased Charles has found another positive use for the building and that it will not become just another site for housing infill. Whitehill and Bordon is supposed to be one of the Government’s Healthy New Towns and the closure of a popular and much-respected GP surgery seems to fly in the face of this.

“Charles Dawson’s practice will be a great loss to our community.”

The practice recommends patients wishing to register elsewhere to contact Pinehill Surgery on 01420 477968 or Forest Surgery on 01420 477111.