ANGRY patients banned from being treated by their two York doctors for a year have launched a petition and a fighting fund.

The petition calls for doctors Martin Ashley and Gill Towler to be allowed to continue treating patients at Monkgate Health Centre - despite a controversial injunction imposed on the pair.

The fighting fund, called the Help Ashley and Towler group (HAT), aims to raise £20,000 to help meet the duo's estimated legal costs.

It is being launched by a group of three patients - Frank Harris, of Stockton Lane, York, Leeds University professor Robin Butlin, and Dorothy Cook, ex-headmistress of the former Mill Mount Grammar School in York.

Mr Harris said: "These are two highly-dedicated and professional people. We want to do everything we can to help them."

He is also supporting the petition, which has been signed by 53 patients of Dr Ashley from The Groves, which he intends to copy and display at public places around York.

The injunction was obtained at the High Court earlier this month by the GP's partners at York Medical Group.

Citing a covenant signed by the pair in their YMG contract, it prevents them treating former YMG patients for a year after they leave the group.

No one was available from YMG to comment on the petition and fighting fund.

But in a statement it said there appeared to be a "number of misunderstandings" about the doctors' departures.

It said: "Neither Dr Ashley nor Dr Towler was made to leave York Medical Group. They voluntarily retired."

It said both doctors were well aware of the provisions of the partnership deed which they had signed, which specifically stated the restriction.

It said the GPs had declined to accept the provisions of the restriction. "Reluctantly, the remaining partners were compelled to apply to the court for an order enforcing the relevant provision."

It said the group's remaining partners much regretted having to go to court, and they wished the two GPs well in their future careers.

The Evening Press can reveal today that scores of YMG patients have already left the practice before the injunction comes into force.

Dr Mike Jones, partner at Minster Health Surgery, which is also based in Monkgate, said staff had been "inundated" with YMG patients looking to register.

"There have been so many patients coming to register we are unable to say how many yet. We have been very happy to accommodate them."

Updated: 10:58 Saturday, June 30, 2001