PATIENTS have been left frustrated after a doctors surgery closed its doors - apart from a three-hour window when people can collect prescriptions.

The GP in Alfriston stopped giving out appointments and is only open between 9.00am and 12.00pm on weekdays for those picking up medication.

The phone lines at Alfriston Surgery have also been closed, with people advised to call The Old School Surgery in Seaford instead.

People have complained on the Alfriston Notice Board Facebook page, with one poster calling the opening times “ludicrous”.

Maria Caulfield, Conservative MP for Lewes, is now set to meet with the Old School Surgery, the practice that runs the site, to discuss the problems.

She said: “Alfriston Surgery also covers the village of East Dean whose surgery shut just before the pandemic and without Alfriston open, they have to go to Seaford as their nearest practice.

“The main complaint I get is that people just can’t get through to speak to anyone and often wait 30 or 40 minutes on the phone just to get through.

The Argus: Alfriston Surgery, The FurlongsAlfriston Surgery, The Furlongs

“We do need our GP practices to return to pre-pandemic service levels and most local practices are operating a good service and residents very much appreciate their hard work during the crisis.

“However where there are problems I will do all I can to help the local surgeries with the issues they face.”

Locals began complaining about the surgery in August.

Ms Caulfield said she previously raised complaints with the surgery and was told it would be open on August 9.

However, she followed up last week saying she would “chase what is happening” with the surgery still not open.

She posted on Facebook about the issue receiving dozens of angry comments.

One Facebook user said: “Yes so annoying and the [opening] times, ‘hello people do work you know'".

Another commenter added: “A three hour window five times a week is ludicrous. I sat in traffic on the A27 for 51 minutes to arrive just as the doctor taped a CLOSED sign on the door.

“There were at least four very annoyed people behind me.”

The Old School Surgery merged and then acquired the Alfriston Surgery from 2010.

The Alfriston branch acts as a “dispensing surgery”, according to their website.

The Old School Surgery told the Argus they “don’t have any comments at the moment.”

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