A surgery that provides GP services to the homeless and vulnerable around Watford is to close, after the lease on the building comes to an end.

But services are expected to move to a nearby surgery – just 300 yards away.

Meadowell Surgery has been looking after patients in temporary accommodation, staying with friends or at risk of homelessness since 2003.

But the lease on the building is due to end later this month and must be vacated by the middle of October.

On Thursday (13 September) members of the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (HVCCG) board reported that the services from Meadowell are now expected to move to the Upton Road Surgery, in nearby Colne House.

They say the only change they now expect to affect the Meadowell patients will be the location.

Even staff will have the option of transferring to the new site – which may even be called ‘Meadowell at Upton Road’ – to ensure continuity of care by the ‘experienced and dedicated team’.

Currently Colne House has the Upton Road Surgery on the ground floor, the Cassio GP practices on the first floor and community mental health services on the second.

The practices have agreed to work with the CCG to accommodate the Meadowell service. And an architect has already developed plans to reconfigure the ground and first floors.

At the meeting the board agreed to support patients to register at the Upton Road Practice and to terminate the Alternative Medical Primary Services (APMS) contract, under which Meadowell Surgery was commissioned.

Meadowell Surgery was set up to offer services for residents living in the Watford and Three Rivers areas.