A PUBLIC meeting is being held for residents affected by the impending withdrawal of services at Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre.

The centre wrote to its patients at the beginning on June informing them that Warfarin blood testing and monitoring will no longer be available after the surgery has struggled to recruit doctors and nurses.

The meeting, which has been organised by Unite Somerset Community Branch and the Bridgwater and District Trades Council will take place on Thursday, June 15, at the Burnham Area Youth centre, Cassis Close, Burnham-on Sea, at 7pm.

Warfarin is a medication that is used as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner, for people with long-term health conditions caused by a blood clot, such as a heart attack or stroke. Patients in need of the service have been advised to switch practices or, if eligible, change medications.

A spokesman for Unite Somerset Community Branch, said: "Bridgwater Trades Council and Unite Somerset Community Branch are holding a public meeting to discuss recent changes to healthcare provision in the Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge area.

"There will be a chance for local people to voice their concerns about recent service closures as well as to build a campaign to oppose any future healthcare cuts.

"On Saturday (June 3) morning many Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre patients, who take the anticoagulant drug Warfarin, received a letter telling them that the CCG has decided to close the Warfarin Clinic provided at the surgery from June 30.

"The letter told them that they would either have to change to a different drug, or change their GP surgery.

"This news has been shocking, not only to the patients concerned, but also to their families, friends and carers. Many of the patients who received this letter will have complex health needs, and some may be quite vulnerable. The letter will have caused stress and anxiety to many. Many of the patients will have experienced considerable worry while waiting for the surgery to open on Monday morning.

"In the Burnham-on-Sea area the choice of surgery is limited, most patients will only have a choice of Highbridge Medical Centre or Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre. Some patients will have very good reasons for not wanting to change.

"The closure of the Warfarin service at Burnham and Berrow Medical Centre comes after a series of other changes to local healthcare provision. The secretive Sustainability and Transformation Plan that is currently under development is likely to result in more cuts to local services."