A WOMAN has been kicked out of a doctors’ practice after 30 years as a patient – because she lives too far away.

Housebound Avril Mulcahy, 83, of Cambridge Road, Westcliff, lives a mile from the West Road Surgery, but in a letter the surgery claims she should find a practice nearer to where she lives.

It also tells the grandmother to find a new doctor within 28 days and lists “green travelling issues” as one of the main reasons for her removal from the surgery’s patient list.

Mrs Mulcahy believes the decision was made because she complained about a doctor.

She said the whole experience had left a “sour taste” in her mouth. She said: “When I read through the letter, I found it absolutely ridiculous they were saying the reason was to decrease their carbon footprint.

“I have been a patient at the practice for 30 years now, and there has never been any problem before.

“To be treated like this, just because I live too far away or for what I feel is a reaction to my complaint, is disgraceful. It feels like they are just coming up with an excuse to get rid of me.”

In the letter, the surgery states: “Our greatest concern is for your health and convenience but also taking into consideration green travelling issues. Re: Carbon footprints and winter weather conditions, we feel it would be advisable for patients to register at surgeries nearer to where they live.

“We would be very grateful if you could make the necessary arrangements to re-register at another practice.”

Mrs Mulcahy says she is anxious and worried at having to try to find a new GP.

She said: “If they really cared, they could have found me a new practice instead of just basically saying do it yourself.

“It is a great worry to me as I am elderly and need to get repeat prescriptions for medication.

“This is really a stress I could do without. I won’t let it rest though, because I feel like I am being treated poorly.”

The West Road Surgery declined to comment.

Andrew Stride, head of governance, risk and customer services for NHS South Essex, said: “We would advise all patients who have concerns about any aspect of local NHS care to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 5879159 for help and advice.

“While we are unable to comment on individual cases, we would like to assure patients there is a procedure GP practices need to follow before they can remove patients from their lists.”