SHOCKED patients were greeted with notes from the bailiffs when they turned up to a Halesowen doctors' surgery this morning.

Stourside Medical Practice, Coombs Road, is part of a group which includes Halesowen Health Centre, Birmingham Street, and Tenlands Road surgery, which were open as normal today.

A patient, who did not want to be named, said: "I could not believe that a doctor's surgery was closed due to the bailiffs, this kind of thing just does not happen.

"We have lost our bus route in this part of Halesowen so it will be hard to get to another surgery."

A spokesman for Stourside Medical Group confirmed the Coombswood Surgery's closure today.

She said: "We were surprised to find a note on the surgery door this morning giving no notice of this closure.

"I would like to thank all of our patients for the way that they have responded today."

She added: "At Stourside we are proud of the high quality medical services we are able to provide from our GP practices.

"Today we have facilitated all appointments from our remaining two sites and have made sure that future appointments have also been re-allocated. We will continue to do this until the issues are resolved.

"I would encourage any patients with concerns to contact the practice where we have ensured extra resource is available to take any calls."