There are no plans to move a needle exchange from Surbiton Health Centre despite criticism from the chief executive of a drugs charity.

Parents at Lime Tree Primary School, which shares the site, have expressed surprise upon learning about the service for recovering drug addicts.

Martin Blakebrough, chief executive of Kaleidoscope, which used to run drugs services in Kingston, criticised the decision for a lack of proper planning.

He said: “The stupid thing about Surbiton Health Centre is it is not well located.

“The commissioners do not understand a lot of people with drug problems do not have cars.

“If you are not near where you can get home and want your fix, you are going to inject around those services.

“If you put a needle exchange in a difficult place to get to you are going to maximise the problem. We were opposite a school and it was a secondary school.

“The new centre has several primary schools around it, which by Home Office guidelines is unacceptable.”

A spokeswoman for the Kingston clinical commissioning group said: “We can categorically say there are no plans to remove the needle exchange services from Surbiton Health Centre, and in fact these services are widely available for the community.”

Dr Jonathan Hildebrand, director of public health and chairman of the strategic partnership for alcohol and drugs, said: “We have a responsibility to provide these services for residents.

“There are a small number of people accessing substance misuse services at Surbiton Health Centre and many people already access these services in a range of locations across the borough.

“We are committed to working with the service providers at the centre and with Lime Tree Primary School to address any concerns.”

Councillor Malcolm Self, a governor of Lime Tree Primary School, said Shan and Newman pharmacies in Ewell Road already offered needle exchange services.