The organisation responsible for GP services in Basingstoke has come under fire after patients were left waiting more than 24 hours to find out why their surgery had closed.

Cllr David Potter (Popley East) has called the organisation's communication with patients "outrageous", with many finding out about the closure on social media.

Shakespeare Road Medical Practice was temporarily closed on Wednesday after a build-up of short-term pressure connected with the planned takeover by Bramblys Grange. It has since reopened for urgent appointments and will resume routine appointments next week.

Patients were turned away on Wednesday morning and others left unable to access prescriptions and appointments.

It was at 5pm when the CCG issued a two-line statement confirming the closure, and there was no confirmation as to the reasons why until the following day.

Now, Cllr Potter has criticised the CCG for leaving patients in the dark for so long.

He told The Gazette: "How outrageous is it for people who are so worried about their medication and long term illnesses to suddenly be told that no GP provision exists and no guarantee about the future.

"All that added worry to the problems they have on a day to day basis.

"This can't continue. The CCG has got to live up to its responsibilities."

Additionally, patients expressed their worry, with several commenting on social media that they had no idea about the closure.

One such patient was Robyn Hill, who was expecting to be seen to have stitches removed following a recent operation.

She told The Gazette: "I didn't even get told. They have a text system so they could have send a text out.

"I think everyone would have been fine with that.

"I feel so stressed. It has taken me an hour to get through to my specialist's secretary and I have had to speak to them about what I should do for my care."

Her husband, Mark, a type-one diabetic, was also left distressed following the news with no confirmation from the surgery or CCG about when they would reopen or what he should do.

"I don't have anyone to ask or speak to. I am nervous and panicking at the moment," the 35-year-old told this newspaper.

The abscence of information also led to various rumours circulating on community social media groups.

The partners of the practice said in a statement on Thursday morning: "We know that any interruption is worrying for patients, and so we have worked tirelessly – with a great deal of support from local NHS colleagues – to ensure that any temporary closure has been kept as short as was humanly possible.

"We took on the running of this practice because we believe we can improve services for patients, and we remain entirely committed to achieving that.

"Please accept our apologies if you have been inconvenienced or concerned in the last few days.

"We have all chosen to work as GPs in Basingstoke – we know this area well, and we are determined to serve the patients who live here."