The only doctor's surgery in southern Borehamwood looks set to close sparking a reorganisation of GP services in the town.

Around 1,500 patients of Dr Jennifer Spring, who runs a practice in Manor Way, were sent letters this week announcing her retirement in December.

Health bosses say no decision has been made on the surgery's future, but patients are being invited to register at other practices in the town.

However, Dr Spring fears the practice will be shut down, leaving a gap in health provision in the area.

"I am very sorry that they have decided to close this surgery and disperse the patients," she told the Borehamwood & Elstree Times.

"It is very convenient for the elderly. They will be upset if they have to go all the way to Grove Road."

Chairman of Hertsmere Public and Patient Involvement Forum Peter Roach is calling for the Manor Way surgery to be kept open with a new doctor until a replacement practice is opened nearby.

Hertsmere Primary Care Trust's director of patient and public involvement Ian Brittain said keeping the surgery open and upgrading the building would cost £100,000, but stressed that no decision would be made before patients were consulted at a special public meeting in November.

Mr Brittain said: "People are not losing GP services in this part of Borehamwood; the PCT is not cutting GPs and no-one will be left in the lurch.

"We are simply giving people the choice to register at Grove Road Surgery or Fairbrook. Patients with any anxieties should come along to the meeting," he said.

Health chiefs admit that doctors in Borehamwood are under more strain than anywhere else in the borough, but the PCT is working to open new health facilities over the next two years.

Discussions are currently underway to build a new surgery, with four or more GPs, on the site of Holy Cross Church in Balmoral Drive near the Manor Way practice.

Grove Road Surgery plans to build larger new premises at the petrol station site at Borehamwood Shopping Park, better known as Boulevard 25.

And a new centre offering children and family services is due to be completed at the former Furzehill School site in Borehamwood by autumn 2006.

Outlining the plans at a health scrutiny meeting at Hertsmere Borough Council on Friday, Hertsmere PCT's new director of primary care Suzanne Trewavas said improvements to health services in the town were in the pipeline.

"There is a wonderful opportunity to do something exciting for the people of Borehamwood," she said.

Patients of Dr Spring will be sent letters inviting them to a public meeting, organised jointly by Hertsmere PCT and the borough's patient's forum, on November 5 at the Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood at 2pm.

mkent@london.newsquest.co.uk