A health boss has apologised after two GP surgeries were closed by a court order for the first time in East Anglia.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) cancelled the registration of Oulton Medical Centre and its satellite branch of Marine Parade Surgery, currently based at Kirkley Mill, in what is the first 'urgent cancellation of a GP's registration' in Suffolk, Norfolk or Cambridgeshire.

At Norwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday the practices were closed under a Section 30 order of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 because of s'erious concerns serious concerns about the service and the risks it presented to patients'.

As a result, patients requiring urgent medical needs from Oulton were redirected after 8am yesterday to another practice in Bridge Road, Oulton Broad.

Meanwhile, the nearby Victoria Road practice provided a service for patients at Kirkley Mill.

Andy Evans, chief executive of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group said: 'We know that a number of patients from Oulton Village and Marine Parade surgeries are concerned about what is happening about accessing a GP during this unusual situation. I would like to reassure patients that they continue to have access to a local GP practice if needed.

'We are sorry and recognise this is distressing for patients, however this is a necessary step that we have to take. This is a very unusual and unprecedented situation which affects more than 5,000 patients.

'We have been working very closely with NHS England to put in place replacement GP services which will be available to patients with an urgent medical need. Patients with routine appointments may be contacted to have their appointments cancelled in the short term while we work on putting in place permanent arrangements.

'Patients from Oulton village practice who have an urgent medical need or who require repeat prescriptions should call Bridge Road GP practice and they will be happy to help.

'Patients from Marine Parade who have an urgent medical need or require a repeat prescription can do this in the same way at Kirkley Mill Health campus where a GP service for Marine Parade patients is being provided by Victoria Road surgery.

'We would ask patients with non-urgent medical needs to please bear with us during this period as there may be some delay for a short time.

'If you do have an urgent need for medication patients can also talk to their usual pharmacy who may be able to help.

'We are aware that some patients are trying to re-register with different GP practices in the area. However, there is no need to do this at the moment. There is still a GP service looking after you and all patients will be receiving a letter from NHS England in due course explaining options for registration with a GP practice. Patients do, of course, have the option to register with a different practice at any time if that practice is open for new patients.

'I would like to thank everybody for their understanding and support at this difficult time. We will provide further information as soon as we know it.

'We would also like to remind patients with non-urgent medical needs that they can get help and advice from their local pharmacy or from the 111 service.'

• Patients with any general concerns should ring the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01502 719567.

Are you affected by the closures? You can leave your comments below or email george.ryan@archant.co.uk