A “massively over-subscribed” doctors’ surgery is to be refurbished to improve access to GPs.

Handsworth Medical Practice in Handsworth Avenue, Highams Park, is to undergo a £600,000 upgrade to improve facilities, with investment from the NHS and money secured through large-scale developments.

Chingford and Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith welcomed the move, claiming some patients had experienced “serious problems”.

He said: "I am very pleased that the Handsworth Medical Centre is getting a much-needed expansion.

"For some time now, this surgery has been massively over-subscribed, causing serious problems for patients in the local area. 

"I hope this expansion will go some way towards solving this problem and I will be keeping a close eye on it."

However, Hale End & Highams Park councillor Sheree Rackham said she was not aware of any problems.

"I work for HealthWatch and I'm on the council's health scrutiny committee and I've not heard of any problems, only praise," she added.   

Sarah Gill, capital programme manager for NHS Property Services in London, confirmed the planned work will aim to make better use of the space and increase capacity for appointments.

She said: "The GPs will be able to continue working as normal while the renovation works are carried out and we will keep disruption to patients and staff to an absolute minimum.

"We are currently preparing the final specification for the project and the works will be completed next summer."

NHS Property Services was set up to manage the estate previously run by Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, which were abolished from in March 2013 under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.