Rural GP surgeries are under threat because the NHS has reclassified their parishes as urban areas.

If the changes go ahead GPs in Sible Hedingham and Castle Hedingham would be forced to close their dispensaries, which could mean the surgeries become unviable.

GPs are not legally allowed to offer pharmaceutical services unless their catchement area is classified as rural in character.

NHS England has written to the Hilton House Surgery in Sible Hedingham and the two surgeries in Castle Hedingham to tell them they will no longer qualify to dispense medication.

In a letter to patients Dr Paul Davis, of the Castle Hedingham Surgery, said: “If the parishes of Sible and Castle Hedingham lose their rural status then our legal right to dispense will be lost and we will be forced to close our dispensaries.

“If we are forced to close our dispensaries the viability of the surgeries is under threat as the dispensaries provide an income which is essential to the running of each surgery.”

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