THOUSANDS of patients have until February to have their say about whether a Bradford doctor's surgery should stay open or close.

Woodhead Road Surgery, in Little Horton, is being run temporarily by staff from Little Horton Lane Medical Centre on a six-month contract after One Medicare decided not to renew its contract.

NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said different options now need to be considered to make sure the practice’s 3,000 patients continued to get good-quality care in the long term.

It is asking patients for their views on two options: either finding someone new to run the surgery, or closing it and helping patients find a new surgery.

According to the CCG, there are 19 other GP surgeries within just over a mile of Woodhead Road Surgery and most of them are accepting new patients.

Dr Andy Withers, clinical chairman at Bradford Districts CCG, said: "We want to hear as many people's views as possible to make sure the right decision is made about Woodhead Road Surgery.

"We have to find the best way for patients to continue to get the care they need, but this will take some months to arrange.

"It's really important for patients and other people to have their say on the proposals so that we can take their views into account."

In the meantime, patients can continue to see their doctor and other staff at the surgery as usual, he said.

Local councillors have raised their concerns about the threat of closure.

Councillor Ruqayyah Collector (Ind, City) said she wanted to see the surgery remain open.

She said it was in a good location and elderly people might find it difficult to adjust to any change.

"People would like it to stay as it is. The consultation is open until February and I would urge as many people as possible to participate in the consultation and really make their view heard," she added.

Councillor Nazam Azam (Lab, City) said he was opposed to any move to close the surgery, "without a shadow of a doubt".

He said lots of local people had been in touch with him, worried about the facility's future.

He said: "It is of grave concern to me, any consideration of closure as an option.

"I don't see any other option other than having it remain open."

Any patient wanting to comment on the proposals has until February 8 to have their say.

Comments can be emailed to consultation@bradford.nhs.uk or given over the phone by calling 0800 0525 270.

Drop-in sessions will be held at the surgery on Tuesday, November 24, from noon to 1.30pm then 5.30pm to 7pm and again on Thursday, December 3, from 5.30pm to 7pm.