OVERWORKED doctors at GP surgeries across Harwich are united in their opposition to proposals to axe the town’s minor injuries unit, it is claimed.

Harwich Town Council has written to health bosses at the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group as part of its consultation over the future of the units in north Essex.

One option could see the unit at Dovercourt’s Fryatt Hospital closed.

In a letter to the Clinical Commissioning Group, clerk Lucy Ballard said: “Harwich Town Council believes the minor injuries unit at the Fryatt Memorial Hospital offers a vital service to the community and is totally opposed to any reduction in the service offered.

“Members of the council, having attended the engagement meetings held in Harwich and having taken wide soundings within the community, are confident the council is speaking on behalf of the entire community when making this statement.

“The remote geographical location of the Harwich peninsula coupled with high indices of social deprivation, unemployment, child poverty, and a large elderly population means it is imperative access to a MIU remains local.

“Furthermore, a low percentage of car ownership coupled with poor public transport links means it would be impossible for a large percentage of the population to access urgent care in the event of sustaining an injury.”

Mrs Ballard added: “If the unit is removed from Harwich, it is inevitable there will be far greater demands made upon the ambulance service.

“Likewise, it is inevitable an additional strain will be placed on an already overstretched GP service.

“Having consulted with all of the GPs serving the Harwich peninsula, the council has been made aware that every local GP is strongly opposed to the closure of the Harwich unit and has advised you of that fact.

“Conversations with the practice managers have confirmed the GP service is already near breaking point and it would be impossible to absorb any additional workload created through minor injuries.”

She added: “Closing the unit in Harwich will only further increase the pressure on the A&E department at Colchester, which we are told is what the review is designed to alleviate. There is a feeling in Harwich the Fryatt Hospital is a wonderful resource which the NHS is frustratingly and bafflingly failing to utilise fully, and developing it rather than cutting back its services would ease the strain on other units.”

A final decision will be made by the CCG’s board by the end of May.