A GP surgery which previously served 9,000 patients in Weymouth and Chickerell has officially closed its doors.

Abbotsbury Road Surgery closed yesterday (29) and all patients have now been transferred to other practices in the area.

NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announced in October last year that the surgery would close after it struggled to recruit replacements for retiring GP partners.

The news sparked concern for many patients who were worried about access to healthcare services following the closure.

Dr Karen Kirkham, a GP in Weymouth and assistant clinical chair for Dorset CCG, told the Echo yesterday (29) that patient safety was her “highest priority,” and that the transfer of patients to other practices was staggered over a number of weeks.

She said: “I would like to thank everybody who was involved in this enormous piece of work. Everyone has done an amazing job.”