CONCERNED councillors fear Dovercourt’s threatened Minor Injuries Unit will be axed by health bosses in favour of the unit in Clacton.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group has put forward four options for the future of the service, one of which could see the unit at Dovercourt’s Fryatt Hospital closed.

Speaking at a meeting of Harwich Town Council on Wednesday, Garry Calver said he feared CCG bosses would instead decide to to keep a service based at Clacton Hospital.

Mr Calver said: "Everything that we have witnesses since this process started shows this consultation is nothing but a sham. I think personally their mind is already made up.

"They wish to close Harwich's Minor Injury Unit and retain a Tendring unit in Clacton Hospital.

"I think everything about this consultation is being pushed in a way that will enable them to justify that decision.

"We have got o do everything possible to prevent them from having the justification for that decision."

Harwich Town Council will write to GPs in the town to find out whether they support the retention of the unit in Harwich and whether they have informed the CCG of their thoughts.

Mr Calver added: "It's time for GPs to stand up and be counted."

Mr Calver's comments come after health bosses received a hostile reception at a public meeting last to discuss proposals for the future of minor injuries units.

The CCG's clinical director Dr Hasan Chowhan previously told residents a decision has not yet been made.