ELDERLY residents at Pathfinder Village near Tedburn St Mary are fighting to save their surgery .

For the 350 patients who use the twice-weekly sessions provided by St Thomas Medical Group, the surgery is a lifeline. All are of retirement age and many are disabled and housebound.

But the mobile home in which the surgery is based is shabby and does not meet current standards.

In January, the GP practice wrote to tell patients that the premises were no longer suitable, but when a meeting held with the GP practice and NHS Devon managers things got a little out of hand.

Resident Chris Rouff said it was made clear to them that the surgery would have to close.

'It didn't seem much like consultation. People were greatly angered to the point there was a lot of shouting going on.'

He claims that patients face long bus journeys to reach the St Thomas Health Centre in Exeter, with a round trip taking up to five hours.

'For an 11am appointment you would have to leave here at 8.30am. The buses are infrequent in the morning and come back hourly.

'What we are really concerned about are those who are immobile and almost housebound. There are a lot of disability problems and all that goes with being elderly with on-going appointments for chronic disorders.'

Residents want to see their old surgery replaced with a new one. None of them are getting younger and with better facilities, Mr Rouff is confident that many of the 150 residents currently registered elsewhere would transfer.

They have been invited to make their case to the NHS board, who will make a final decision later this year.

Residents have set up an action group with two working parties including representatives from NHS Devon and the St Thomas Medical Group.

One will research the health needs of residents while the other costs a replacement building.

Residents have also launched a Save Our Surgery petition.

Central Devon MP Mel Stride has stepped in, pledging his support.

'Mel has written to St Thomas Medical Group and NHS Devon and said he would be prepared to organise the petition's delivery to Downing Street. This has been a great encouragement,' Mr Rouff said.

Dr John Rutter, a GP at St Thomas Health Centre, pointed out that while the population of 350 at the Pathfinder Village has remained stable, demand in Exeter is growing. In ten years patient numbers have jumped from 27,500 to 32,500.

'We are pleased that patients at Pathfinder Village have already come up with some really good ideas and we are now working with NHS Devon to see how these might work in practice.'

James Short, NHS Devon's assistant director of primary care, said: 'We held a meeting yesterday where we focused on potential solutions.

'The feedback we received from all sessions has been useful and is already beginning to shape our thinking. All comments will be fully considered prior to any decision being taken about future services in the area.'