A GP surgery in Popley has reopened for urgent appointments only after complaints from patients and councillors.

The new owners of the former Bermuda and Marlowe practice said they "deeply regret" the closure which was a result of "some significant pressures building up in recent weeks".

The Gazette understands that the partners at Bramblys Grange temporarily closed the surgery on Wednesday, because of a build-up of short-term pressures on staff caused by implementing the takeover.

It left 14,000 patients without access to their GP, including repeat prescriptions and important appointments.

Yesterday, sources said Bramblys Grange's takeover of the practice, which received a damning CQC report earlier this year, had failed over "contractual" disagreements.

However today, it appears the practice will still be taking on the Popley doctors' surgery, though the Clinical Commissioning Group is yet to provide further details on this.

A statement from the Hampshire CCG yesterday evening said that the surgery was "currently closed while we work with the practice to put in place arrangements for the future care of their patients".

But as of Thursday morning (April 15), the surgery has reopened to patients needing urgent appointments, and will reopen fully for "more routine services" on Monday.

The partners of the practice said in a statement: "We know that any interruption is worrying for patients, and so we have worked tirelessly – with a great deal of support from local NHS colleagues – to ensure that any temporary closure has been kept as short as was humanly possible.

"We took on the running of this practice because we believe we can improve services for patients, and we remain entirely committed to achieving that.

"Please accept our apologies if you have been inconvenienced or concerned in the last few days.

"We have all chosen to work as GPs in Basingstoke – we know this area well, and we are determined to serve the patients who live here.

"We are absolutely focused on addressing the short-term challenges we face, but still maintain that long-term ambition to give you the best possible care and support."

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.