Stafford Place Surgery could close its doors soon – leading to fears that hundreds of people could be affected by a lack of town centre medical care.

The Stafford Medical Group – which runs both Stafford Place and Locking Castle Medical Centre – wants to consolidate the practice by only operating from Locking Castle.

However, the proposal raises serious questions about the town centre’s lack of medical facilities following the closure of the Boulevard practice in 2013 and relocated of Longton Grove and New Court surgeries.

Cllr Mike Bell says: “I am very concerned about this proposal. On its own it affects a significant number of town centre residents; however, this is the latest in a long line of GP closures in the town centre.

“The Boulevard practice was closed, Longton Grove and New Court both relocated out of the town centre, and we know the Graham Road practice is under immense pressure.

“With the council planning to bring 3-5,000 extra residents into the town centre, there are serious questions about the ability of services to cope.”