A CANCER sufferer claims he is being “let down” by his GP surgery when he “needs them most” after being “told to leave”, despite being a patient for more than 60 years.

Ken Darvill, 72, has been a patient at The New Surgery, on Stock Road, Billericay, since he was ten years old, but claims he has been told to find a new GP because he lives outside the catchment area.

Despite living in his home on the Dunton Fields Estate for the last ten years, Ken claims he was told he will have to leave the GP surgery by the end of the month as he is “half a mile” outside the catchment area.

He is battling two different types of cancer, diabetes and foot neuropathy, and says the task of finding a new surgery is adding to his stress.

Despite being contacted by the Echo repeatedly for three days, the GP surgery has failed to respond.

Ken said: “Even with all that I am dealing with, I only ever go to the doctors to get a repeat prescription and an injection every six months. I haven’t been a demanding patient and the strain I put on them is virtually nil.

“I have rarely been sick. It is only in the last two years, since I was diagnosed with cancer, that I have been going there.

“Now, when I need them the most, they are letting me down. You would think there would be a little more loyalty and compassion for the situation considering I have been with them since I was ten.

“Just the thought of finding a new surgery and new doctors has made me very stressed.”

Ken’s wife, Miriam, has also claimed she has been asked to leave the surgery after being on their books for 25 years.

“My wife has been stressed as well. The surgery is virtually empty and it even says that they welcome new patients,” added Ken.

“I want to stay with them because it’s just more convenient for me, rather than trying to find a new one. We have been looking at new ones, but have not really liked any so far.

“This is the last thing I need right now.”