MORE than 1,600 patients have been urged to sign up to a new doctor's surgery as theirs is closing. 

The GP surgery in Nelson Street, Dalton is run by Doctor Amos and her 1,624 patients have been told that she will be retiring from general practice on September 30. 

Dr Amos works as a single-handed GP and therefore following her retirement the surgery will have to close.  

A letter from Dr Craig Melrose, the interim medical director for Cumbria, has been sent out to patients urging them to register with an alternative GP practice as soon as possible. 

He said "Dr Amos has worked in Dalton for a many years and I know is held in high regard by her patients.

"Therefore I regret to inform you that the surgery in Nelson Street will close on September 30. 

"I do appreciate that this news will be concerning for you, but please be assured that there are other practices close to where you live with which you can register."

A list of local GPs who are accepting new patients have also been sent out to patients. 

Mr Melrose said: "NHS England has assessed the capacity of the practices and are confident that they are able to accommodate all of the patients who will need to register as a result of the dispersal.

"Our main priority is to ensure patients continue to have access to high quality GP services. 

“We’d like to thank Dr Amos for her many years of hard work on behalf of the NHS and her patients.”

A patient at Nelson Street surgery who wishes to remain anonymous said how he will be sad to see the team go. 

He said: "It's not only the fact that she's a good doctor it's the whole team. 

"They are a very friendly bunch of people and it will be a shame to move surgeries." 

The other doctor's surgery, soon to be the only one in Dalton, is Market Street surgery. 

Dr Amos said: "I’m sad that the time has come to close my Practice, I’ll miss my patients, staff and colleagues but I believe it’s best to quit when you're at the top of your game". 

If you have any difficulty registering with another practice, or would like further advice and assistance on registering please contact Healthwatch on freephone 0300 30338567 or at info@healthwatchcumbria.co.uk.