AN MP is urging residents to take part in a consultation over controversial plans to reduce the number of GP surgeries in Billericay and replace them with one “super clinic”.

Tory John Baron wants residents to make their views clear about plans to shake up community health care, which could see one main clinic serving the town, instead of several smaller GP surgeries.

It is expected the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will give NHS South West Essex PCT approval to consult on proposals, over a period of 12 weeks, starting later this month.

Under the proposals the number of GP surgeries in the town would eventually be reduced to four as doctors retire.

But critics fear this could ultimately lead to the introduction of a polyclinic in the town with centralised medical care.

Mr Baron said: “The proposal to reduce the number of surgeries as GPs retire, in favour of larger surgeries, could be a bone of contention.

“I have been given an assurance that there will be no cuts to funding, to the number of GPs or to the range of services on offer – in fact services could expand by moving into more spacious and modern premises.

“However, some people will have further to go to visit their GP.

“Ultimately, this plan is just a proposal for consultation and the PCT has promised to listen if there is widespread opposition.”

Residents critical of the plans fear the introduction of a polyclinic would result in patients never being able to see the same doctor twice and having to travel further to see a medic.

However, the PCT says the consultation is just about finding out people’s opinions about how healthcare is run and that no firm proposals have been drawn up yet.