Shocked patients have paid tribute to the "absolutely wonderful care" provided by an acclaimed healthcare service which has just been axed.

The Epsom Guardian revealed on Monday that Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (SDCCG) decided last month not to renew its contract with the Epsom Downs Integrated Care Services, Edics, an organisation to which looked after over 3,000 patients needing specialist care in community clinics.

Edics had referred patients to clinics at the Ebbisham Centre, in Epsom; Old Cottage Hospital, in Alexandra Road, Epsom; Leatherhead Hospital; and the Tattenham Clinic for minor surgery and treatments if appropriate or for more specialised examinations, after which they could then be referred to a hospital.

The Ebbisham Centre clinic shut its doors on Monday and patients will now be referred to other local health providers.  The other clinics remain open, but will be run by different providers.

Messages of disbelief and disappointment have poured into this newspaper in the last 24 hours from angry and worried patients praising Edics’ excellent service.

Jean Whate, 89, from Epsom, was treated at the Ebbisham Centre clinic for cancer and had many operations there in the past three years.

She said: "It’s ridiculous.  It provided absolutely wonderful care.  The treatment there was so much better compared to any general hospital. 

"The staff were caring.  You would always walk in and be greeted with a smile.

"It’s just crazy."

Chris Truelove said: "It cannot be right that a group of unelected officials are able to make decisions about the future healthcare provision to the population of Surrey without any form of consultation with patients, GPs or those who have benefited from the wonderful service at Edics.

"I understand that the vast majority of GPs across the area are actually opposed to the closure of Edics."

Valarie Webb agreed: "I feel very sorry for the very caring staff who worked there and also for the patients who will be deprived of a wonderful medical centre.

"Shame on whoever decided to take this course of action."

Maureen Bysouth, 74, from Banstead, was treated at the Ebbisham Centre clinic for non-cancerous moles.

She said: "It was absolutely wonderful.  The staff were very, very nice.  I had no idea it was shutting down and am very disappointed."     

Zulfiqar Noon, 81, from Redhill, who received treatment for psoriasis at the Ebbisham Centre clinic, received a letter informing him of the change yesterday and said it had "completely out of the blue".

He said: "It’s a nightmare.  All the patients were so happy.  This has come out of the blue - it has closed down with no arrangements and I have been left with nothing.  Everyone is upset.

"I have been told that I will have to go to Cobham.  Epsom was closer to me than Cobham. 

"Everyone was very helpful.  There were wonderful services and the public has been deprived of them.  It’s a false economy."