A FAMILY doctor is to split from his colleagues and set up a rival practice next door - following an alleged dispute with nurses and management at the surgery they shared.

Dr Narenda Singh, senior partner at Burnley's Colne Road Surgery, has confirmed that he is quitting the practice to start his own surgery in the adjoining Ruskin guest house premises next month and hopes his registered patients will follow him.

The doctor, who headed the practice for 30 years, said the split with Drs Arnold Jenkins and Christopher Berry was amicable and there was no problem, but declined further comment.

But a letter to patients from his two colleagues states: "Unfortunately following a dispute between Dr Singh and our nurses and management, Dr Singh has decided that he is no longer able to work with these staff, some of whom have worked with us for over twenty years, and has decided to leave the partnership."

The letter says the two GPs, with assistance from a third doctor, Dr Greenwood, will continue the practice from the present premises and hope to employ the majority of original staff in order to maintain the same level of service.

It adds: "We can only provide this level of service at your surgery with your continuing support, we hope therefore you will continue to support your surgery.

"If you are registered with Dr Singh, you would need to re-register to continue to use this surgery."

Dr Singh said today the letter was normal practice and had been approved by the East Lancashire Health Authority.

He added that because of his duty of confidentiality to patients he could make no further comment.

Dr Jenkins declined to comment on any aspect of the split and Dr Berry was not available for comment.

Four years ago partner Dr Amitabha Das left the practice and the surgery was divided by builders to allow Dr Das to set up his own practice. Dr Das retired and left the premises two years ago.

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