THE chief executive of Medicx Pharmacy has asked solicitors to look into the ‘lack of action’ of NHS England officials after doctors revealed Sankey Medical Centre would be closing.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian, patients were upset to hear the practice would be moving to Orford on Friday meaning a difficult journey for many elderly patients.

Steve Jeffers, from the Medicx chemist next to the surgery on Barrow Hall Lane, said patients deserve better and he has written to the NHS, councillors and Warrington South MP David Mowat complaining proper procedure for the closure has not been followed.

He added: “We have offered to act as brokers with the retired GPs who own the building and who are keen for a new GP practice to take over from Dr Bhatnagar and have been asking for assistance in re-commissioning medical service at the site with a new GP practice.

“The patients of Great Sankey deserve a better GP service than the alternatives being offered by NHS England at the moment and there is an obvious solution when a ready made medical centre is lying empty.”

Labour Great Sankey and Whittle Hall councillors met last week but said it appeared to be too late to change the decision and they would be calling for a conference to plan for the provision of health services in the west of Warrington.

Clr Tony Williams said: ""GP services across Great Sankey are under stress because of the growing local population. 

"I will be calling for a conference of the responsible agencies to plan for the provision of health services in the west of Warrington.”

A spokesman for NHS England, Cheshire Warrington and Wirral, said it had not been possible to reach a ‘viable agreement’ with the site landlord for the practice to continue at its current location.

He added: “We are currently working with Dr Bhatnager to make sure the transition of services for patients to the new site is as smooth as possible.

“Patients will be able to see the same GP as they did previously, thus ensuring continuity of care for them.”