Doctors a crisis-hit surgery in Bishop’s Castle say they are doing everything they can to protect services and maintain patient care.

GPs also revealed that the doctor at the centre of an ongoing dispute at Bishop’s Castle Medical Practice had attempted to sever all ties with his colleagues.

The details were revealed at a public meeting last night called by practice doctors in a bid to re-assure residents about the future of the surgery.

• See more pictures from the meeting in our gallery to your right

A disagreement between partners has seen Dr Adrian Penney stay away from the practice for most of the past year. And it has also raised fears the surgery could close – dispelled last night.

Partner Dr Adrian Fairbanks told the meeting, attended by about 100 people, that every effort was being made to deal with their concerns.

He said Dr Penney, who has been based at the surgery for more than 30 years, had written to himself and Dr Susan Lambert in November asking to dissolve their partnership.

But the request was rejected, with his two colleagues claiming Dr Penney had no legal grounds to pursue such action. But no more light was shed on the reasons behind the long-running disagreement between Dr Penney and his colleagues, with Dr Fairbanks citing legal reasons and issues of confidentiality.

Dr Penney was present at the meeting but declined to comment on the statement or a number of questions raised by residents.

In a statement to the meeting, Dr Fairbanks said: “On November 12 we received a letter from Dr Penney purporting to dissolve the partnership.

“Our legal opinion is that he has no power to do so and we do not want the partnership dissolved.” He added: “We want to reassure everyone we are doing everything we can to protect services.”

Dr Fairbanks said the practice could continue to run if the partnership was dissolved but it would be likely Shropshire County Primary Care Trust would take over its running.