Patients at a doctors’ surgery saved from closure three years ago are campaigning to keep a medical practice on the site after the shock announcement that the current owners are retiring.

The Vineyard Hill Road Surgery in Wimbledon will close in March next year as partners Dr Gill Provost and Dr Rob Jones hang up their stethoscopes for the final time.

Among the 5,500 patients on their books are Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond and Merton’s Conservative leader Oonagh Moulton, who have begun campaigning for a surgery to remain there.

However the doctors, who own the building in Vineyard Hill Road, have already been given planning permission by Merton Council in September last year to convert the surgery into homes.

Wimbledon Times:

Closing: The surgery

Mr Hammond said: "I will be campaigning to NHS England and I want to encourage everyone to.

"We need a surgery in Wimbledon Park, it’s the only one.

"The nearest is a 15 minute walk to Southfields or in Alexandra Road."

Mr Hammond added the practice had done a great job and he had been a patient at the surgery for 15 years.

NHS England said it was carrying out a consultation with patients to see what they want to do. A form was distributed to thousands of homes last week which gave people the option to register elsewhere, with a list of surgeries given nearby.

Among them was the Princes Road Surgery, which may also be converted into flats if planning permission is granted. It already has 10,000 patients on its books.

Coun Moulton said a public meeting would be held to discuss the options on Tuesday, November 4, at the Wimbledon Park Community Hall in Arthur Road.

She said: "It is a big shock to hear it is closing.

"My family and I have been patients there for 20 years.

"It is at the heart of the community."

The campaign three years ago was sparked by the now defunct Primary Care Trust proposing spending cuts. A petition and a public meeting proved successful and campaigners are hoping they will get the same level of support a second time around.

The closure would mean the Wimbledon Park ward will be left without a doctors’ surgery.

An NHS England (London) spokeswoman said: "We have been given notice by the two contract holders at Vineyard Hill Road Surgery that they wish to retire and revert the premises to residential use as of March 2015.

"We are currently carrying out an engagement programme with patients at the surgery to look at future options for them to access primary care.

"During this time we will listen to the views of patients and local residents, as well as reviewing existing GP services in the area and the health needs of the local community."

The public meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 4 from 7.30pm.