Loyal patients have saved the Portland Road Medical Centre from closure after petitioning the NHS not to axe the practice.

The surgery came under threat in September, after disgraced Dr Ravi Sondhi was suspended by the General Medical Council because of financial irregularities.

The lead GP was found to be in breach of his contract after agreeing an individual voluntary arrangement with his creditors, in a bid to stave off bankruptcy.

NHS Croydon served a six-month termination notice on the practice’s three partners.

Two of Dr Sondhi’s colleagues, Dr Sheila O’Hara and Dr Paddy Jackson, wrote to the practice’s 12,500 patients, asking them to contact the PCT to help save the centre.

After an overwhelming response at an NHS board meeting on December 21, NHS Croydon decided to award a new contract to Drs O’Hara and Jackson.

An NHS spokeswoman said: “The PCT involved patients and staff in a practice review to determine future arrangements.

“The consultation indicated a strong desire for Dr’s O’Hara and Jackson to continue providing medical services at Portland Medical Centre.”

Dr Sondhi faces a tribunal after being accused of authorising payments to himself and his wife from out of hours doctor service Croydoc when he was chairman of the organisation, without the knowledge of other directors.

He was sacked at the beginning of 2010, after it emerged he and his wife Dr Salma Uddin had been giving themselves money from the organisation for a year.

It is alleged he abused his position by persuading vulnerable staff and patients to give him money.

The doctor, from Purley, is believed to be millions of pounds in debt, and it is thought he used funds to prop up several businesses he owns which have gone into administration. These include care homes across the country.