TREATMENT for patients at a York surgery will continue as normal despite a court injunction placed on two of its doctors, the York Medical Group has said.

In a statement, the group stressed that the provision of services at its Monkgate surgery would continue in exactly the same way without Dr Martin Ashley and Dr Gill Towler.

The York Medical Group obtained the controversial High Court injunction last month.

It prevents Drs Ashley and Towler from treating former YMG patients for a year after the GPs leave the group, citing a covenant signed by the pair in their YMG contracts.

But the group has said in a statement to staff and patients that in certain circumstances, for instance with the terminally ill, a "sensible approach" will be adopted.

"To date, the continuing partners have received no application from Drs Ashley or Towler that they wish to continue to treat specific, eg terminally ill, patients."

The statement goes on to say: "Whilst Drs Ashley and Towler have been involved in all the work of York Medical Group, they have particularly provided services at the Monkgate surgery.

"The provision of services at Monkgate will continue in exactly the same way after the doctors' retirement.

"Dr Rebecca Field will continue to work at Monkgate as before.

"Dr Jonathan Evans will increase his hours substantially, and Dr Olga Kaliszer and Dr Paula Evans will be attending Monkgate in order to support the other partners.

"Additionally, Dr Charles McEvoy will also be working at Monkgate over the next few months until replacement partners can be brought into the practice."

The Evening Press reported on Saturday that a petition had been launched by patients calling for the two doctors to be allowed to continue treating them at Monkgate surgery, and a fighting fund has also been launched.

Updated: 11:46 Monday, July 02, 2001