ST PETER’S doctors surgery is not closing down, just shutting temporarily for a refurbishment, the practice manager has said.

A notice has been put up this week advising patients of the St Peter’s Drive surgery will be closed on a number of dates throughout this month but does not state why, and neither does the website.

Some Facebook users posted that it has been closed regularly of late, fuelling concerns it may shut its doors for good in the near future.

However, practice manager Karen Chidlow told the Worcester News “it’s not closing down” and staff are simply “hoping to decorate” during the closure period.

The sign states the surgery will be out of action on December 16, 17 and 20, having also been closed on December 2.

Patients are also directed to collect prescriptions from parent surgery St Martin’s Gate, in Newtown Road, which will remain open as normal, and also call there with any enquiries.

“It was for decoration,” said Ms Chidlow. “I thought it was only necessary to say that it was closed [but not why]. I didn’t feel the need to put that to the public.”

She said the reason was in a newsletter to patients and on her personal website, however.

Ms Chidlow said they were unable to re-decorate recently due to the bad weather.

St Peter’s parish councillor and former city councillor Roger Knight said a few years ago when the main surgery proposed moving to its current location, planning committee members raised concerns the satellite practice would in jeopardy “further down the road”.

“It was raised...the risk of losing the satellite,” he said.

“I would be disappointed and disturbed if it were to close. We have already lost the post office, we don’t want to lose the surgery as well.”

He said closures over the Christmas period aren’t ideal but he didn’t want to comment on what sort of impact it might have on the community.

“I hope it’s just a temporary thing,” he added.