HYNDBURN MP Graham Jones has thrown his weight behind a campaign to keep open a threatened GP practice in Accrington.

NHS England is reviewing the contract for the small GP surgery at Accrington Victoria Hospital, which has around 1,800 patients.

The surgery’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) fears the facility will be axed, and launched a campaign earlier this month to persuade health bosses to maintain the service.

But NHS England insists no decision has been made.

Mr Jones has written to commissioning director at NHS England, Martin Clayton, sharing the PPG’s concerns.

He wrote: “I am incredibly passionate about raising health levels in Hyndburn, health levels which are significantly below what they should be and deteriorating amongst those on lower incomes.

“I am anxious, therefore, about the possibility of a reduction or cancellation of the provision of this service by NHS England north west group.

“I am resolutely opposed to the closure or a reduction in the level of service offered at the GP service.

“I am fully supportive of the patients' group and the local authority in this respect. People use this service because there is a demand which the NHS has a responsibility to meet. It primarily helps hardworking families, who find the hours and accessibility of the surgery fit around their working lives.”

The PPG is urging patients to also make their representations to NHS England by the end of March, while also encouraging people to write to the Department of Health and local politicians.

It is feared any closure would impact on other surgeries in the borough.

NHS England said the current contract for the surgery expires in October, and the review was a standard procedure to consider how best to provide care.