People in Dedham have been warned that a new surgery for the village is unlikely to be in place until 2005 at the earliest. The news means patients will have a period of interim service next year when after the outdated Constable Country Medical practice is forced to close.

People in Dedham have been warned that a new surgery for the village is unlikely to be in place until 2005 at the earliest.

The news means patients will have a period of interim service next year when after the outdated Constable Country Medical practice is forced to close.

The Dedham practice – which caters for 1,400 patients in Dedham, Langham, Stratford St Mary and Boxted – will be replaced by a purpose-built premises in the village.

However, negotiations about the changes have been ongoing throughout the year without a solution and now Essex County Council has threatened the decision will be referred to the Secretary of State.

But Norman Foster, director of Health Improvement at Central Suffolk PCT, said it had been working with the practice and local residents and was now considering potential sites.

He said: "It would be disappointing if it went to the Secretary of State - everybody has been working together on finding a solution and everybody wants it to be sorted out.

"We are looking at potential sites in Dedham and looking at possible provision of a multi purpose facility in the village and that would, or could, include a GP's practice, a dental practice and three low cost flats.

"That is subject to planning permission and funding. It is unlikely to be until the middle of 2005 which means there is a need for an interim solution with a GP operating part of a call service."

Mr Foster acknowledged the interim solution could mean the service would be limited, but said patients would still get a service.

Under disability laws the Constable Country Medical Practice which, operates from a one-bedroom flat in Parsons Field, will fail to meet new accessibly standards in October 2004.

It was originally proposed residents would have to travel to a modern medical centre in East Bergholt – a plan which villagers fought against and won.

A letter from Essex County Council to the Chief Executive of the PCT said there were concerns because of the "slow progress" on the matter.

It said: "The panel is anxious to determine if the process being undertaken can lead to a satisfactory long-term solution for the patients of Dedham."

A decision on whether the matter will be referred to the Secretary of State will be taken later this month.

A public meeting on the issue will take place in Dedham Village Hall at 10.00am today.