PATIENTS in Burnham are angry about cuts to services and facilities at a health clinic.

A letter, from Burnham Surgery’s patient participation group, claims the health of residents is being put in danger.

It states: “Members unanimously agreed that there was increasing concern about the reduction in the facilities and services provided at our Burnham clinic.

“The clinic is the property of the people of Burnham, as it was financed by them, for the sole purpose of providing clinical services which were otherwise only available to residents by travelling to other towns.”

Concerns include a reduction in the availability of blood tests, hearing advice and physiotherapy.

The letter was sent to the mid Essex clinical commissioning group which covers the area.

It is claimed the lack of services available in Burnham is forcing people to travel further afield for care, which is not sustainable.

Rosemary Rodgers, secretary of the PPG, in her letter added: “Braintree services are not helpful for the Dengie population, as the only access for these is by two trains and a bus or taxi.

“We believe the Dengie clinical needs are not readily understood by the CCG and are writing to request the CCG would give priority to discussion of commissioning improved services at Burnham.

“This is for the benefit of all the Dengie population.”

Alan Brown, chairman of the PPG, added: “We feel it has been long enough. We need to take some action. We fear that we might lose the clinic if we do not.

“The whole of the Dengie are is going to lose out if this goes.

“I feel disappointed with the community representatives. I don’t think enough is being done.

“They say we are being offered alternatives but these are in Braintree. There is no service to get there. It is not fair to expect people to get there by 7am.”

A spokesman for the Mid Essex CCG dismissed concerns.

They said: “There is no co-ordinated ‘withdrawal of service’ from the facility, which we appreciate people living in Burnham have been concerns about."