A patient at a doctor’s practice where four GPs have been suspended has leapt to the defence of the founding partners.

Sue Williams, of Clarence Avenue, Clapham, said she had been a patient at the Streatham Place Surgery in Brixton Hill for 37 years and had always received "the greatest of care" from doctors, particularly from Dr Arun K Singh and Dr Jayanti Singh.

She described them as "reliable" people, adding they had "dedicated their lives to so many".

Dr Singh and Dr Singh were both suspended from the practice on August 9, while their colleagues Dr Vinodray Patel and Dr Nusrat Mazhar were suspended on August 8 and August 11 respectively.

Health chiefs will not confirm the reasons for the suspensions and the Medical Defence Union, which is representing Dr Mazhar, said she wanted to make no further comment while the investigation was ongoing.

Ms Williams said she may start a local petition to show support for the suspended doctors.

She said: "My family and I have known Dr Singh and Mrs Singh for 37 years. They have always been reliable and have looked after our family with the greatest of care. Appointments have always been kept by us and by them.

"I have four daughters, a husband and eight grandchildren to whom the doctors have looked after not only for our health but also as friends. "The doctors have our full support and many others too. They have dedicated their lives to so many."