PATIENTS fear the loss of physio services will be just the tip of the iceberg for the NHS.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, which buys medical services for the area covering Maldon, has already been forced to freeze IVF funding for two years and cut a host of services in a bid to save £40million in the next financial year.

Trevor Fernandes, 62, a patient participation group member for Maldon’s Blackwater doctor’s surgery, said there were serious concerns about what other services would face the chop.

Mr Fernandes, of Maritime Avenue, Heybridge, said: “That is our bigger concern. For patients and for the public, there is going to be future cuts.

“We feel that this consultation is too small to deal with anything and to make radical changes.

“We are more worried about what is to come.”

Earlier this month, the Standard revealed claims the NHS spent £81 less on residents in mid Essex than in neighbouring areas, leaving the climical commissioning group as one of the 11 most financially challenged healthcare providers in England.

Mr Fernandes added: “What I can say is the feeling from our patient groups is that they are not happy about these cuts.

“They don’t feel like we should have to make these cuts because NHS England have underfunded us.

“However, we want to work with the CCG to support them and to inform them about some of the cuts.”