An Isle of Wight councillor has expressed his "deep concern" following the announcement a busy doctor's surgery is set to close.

Cllr Phil Jordan, ward councillor for Ryde North West, told the County Press it was a huge blow to the community that Argyll House in Ryde was to close. 
It has thousands of patients on its books, according to its website, and has been serving the community for 25 years.

The announcement of its closure was made by the Isle of Wight's Integrated Care Board (ICB). 

Cllr Jordan said: "This is a huge blow to the community of Ryde and a sad, unwelcome, surprise.

"Following on from the closure of Brading surgery in 2020 this closure will only add to the extreme pressures on GP provision in Ryde with other existing surgeries quite probably being forced to take on even more patients at a time when getting an appointment to see a doctor is becoming an impossibility in many situations.

"We seem to be in a crisis management situation where long-term investment and plans to deal with vital and reduced GP provision have been overlooked for too long by Government and health professionals. 

"I am deeply concerned for those older vulnerable residents as well as those that have ongoing medical supervision needs but the future in Ryde for GP services does not look healthy."

Patients have not yet been contacted, but will be in time, the ICB said.

Darren Cattell, acting place director for Isle of Wight at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, said: "We will keep patients informed of developments as we work with the practice and support their staff through this process.

"Our priority will be to ensure patients continue to have access to high quality primary care services.

"For the moment, Argyll House remains open and it's very much business as usual for patients who need appointments or want to access other services."