Controversial plans to close a “busy” doctors’ surgery in High Wycombe and move appointments to Wycombe Hospital, have been shelved for a few years.

Cressex Health Centre in London Road applied to NHS England to close its Lynton House surgery in the east of the town earlier this year due to the premises not being deemed fit for purpose.

At the time, campaigners warned it could cause “serious problems” for patients who would have been forced to take two buses to attend appointments.

East Wycombe Independent councillor Julia Wassell said she and leader Matt Knight fought against the closure for nearly a year, lobbying the Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and NHS England.

A consultation took place as part of the proposal to move some of the appointments to Wycombe Hospital’s Minor Injuries and Illness Unit or Hanover House in Coronation Road, which would have been a two-bus journey for most people.

In a letter to cllr Wassell, Aylesbury Vale and Chiltern CCGs’ chief officer, Louise Patten, wrote: “Feedback gained from the consultation centred on the difficulty patients reliant on public transport would have [in] travelling to the main practice site or the alternative provision at MIIU.

“The consultation feedback also highlighted the present and future capacity of GP services in the east of High Wycombe.”

The letter went on to say it “became apparent” while work was being undertaken to look for an alternative site close to Lynton House that “alternative options were limited”.

The CCG then consulted with the landlord of the building who agreed to refurbish the surgery and reopen it with a reduced carbon footprint.

The refurbishment will start in January and is expected to take four to six weeks, during which the surgery will close and patients will be seen at Hanover House.

Cllr Wassell said: “I tracked and negotiated on the issue of the Lynton House surgery for nearly a year lobbying the CCG and NHS England. 

“I felt that patients were listened to in the consultation by the CCG CEO.

“I felt that if Lynton House closed the best option was a new health centre. Other options have fallen through, such as a surgery at Wycombe Hospital.

“I am pleased that there is a reprieve for the surgery but already many patients have left and the surgery is part time. Kingswood surgery is also very busy.”

She is now urging east Wycombe residents to sign a petition she has started for a new health centre, which can be found in shops around the area.