A DOCTORS' surgery in Edgware was “not fit for purpose”, according to the practice manager who closed it.

Dr Lawrence Gould decided to shut the Buckingham Road Surgery on May 31 and transfer services to two Stanmore medical centres because of concerns over the state of the building.

He told the Times Series: “It just wasn't fit for purpose. We have been trying for two years to see if it could work, but they were really old rooms and were totally inadequate.

“Access was just not safe anymore for modern general practice.”

The surgery, in Chandos Crescent, has now been shut and its patients — fewer than 1,500 — can choose between Dr Gould's other surgeries in Crowshott Crescent, Stanmore, or Stanmore Park Medical Centre, in William Drive.

Alternatively, they have the option of transferring to another doctors' surgery in the Edgware area.

Dr Gould said: “There are 14 other practices within a mile. The PCT has been working with us and it didn't feel the need to open another general practice.”

He claimed patients who had already moved to Stanmore said they were happy with the move and said services were “substantially better”.

Buckingham Road Surgery had operated for more than 30 years and was taken over by Dr Gould and partners in February 2008.