CLOSING Colchester’s walk-in centre and minor injuries units at Clacton and Harwich is the most unpopular option so far.

Since January 4, nearly 2,000 responses have been submitted to the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group on the future of the units, which are part of an NHS review into urgent and emergency care services.

The CCG highlighted the feedback in a written briefing but said it cannot pre-empt the final evaluation due once the consultation ends on March 1.

People would prefer the facilities be continued across Colchester and Tendring, or to have a new minor injury service established.

CCG representatives have held meetings with 16 support groups and held ten public events which have highlighted concerns around transportation to and from Colchester Hospital, GP recruitment and accessing GP services.

People are also worried about the present lack of health services in Clacton and Harwich, and whether CCG bosses have considered the likely impact given the upcoming increase of housing in Tendring.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Jeanette Phillips, of Frinton, said she was not shocked by current opinion but she was critical of how a new minor injuries service will be funded in light of the Government’s need to save £14million.

She said: “The current units are in ideal locations. They cannot be closed down with merely a promise a new centre will eventually become available when money cannot even be found to sustain existing centres.

“Having more services available locally to ease the strain on Colchester Hospital and on GP surgeries would be a good idea.

“Problems at GP surgeries have already been exacerbated by withdrawing blood testing at Clacton Hospital when it is a fact the facility was well used.”

Online questionnaire responses found at neessexccg.nhs.uk are being sent to an independent researcher at the University of East Anglia for analysis.

Sam Hepplewhite, chief officer at the CCG said: “This is providing a fantastic opportunity for the CCG and the public to have their say on the effectiveness of these services and to ensure they meet the continued needs of the community.

"Please do come along to one of the remaining public meetings to give us your thoughts.

"No decisions have been made and we're very willing to consider any new ideas, and are committed to listening to all views."

The final public meetings:

  •  February 17 (2-3pm) and 25 (11am-12pm) at Electric Palace cinema in Harwich
  • February 21 at Community Voluntary Services Tendring in Clacton (7pm-8pm)
  • February 24 (7pm-8pm) at Stanway Village Hall in Colchester