A patient at a GP surgery which is closing its eConsult platform for two weeks over Christmas says she is fearful for her husband's health as she relies on the service for medical help for his condition.

From today until Tuesday, January 4, the online triage tool at Sydenham House Medical Centre in Ashford will not be accepting requests and patients are instead being advised to phone the surgery for an appointment when it is open, or call 111.

Rachel Goddard from Whitfeld Road regularly uses eConsult to speak to a doctor about her husband Brian Mills who is diabetic and has an artificial pancreas.

Mr Mills, 54, often needs medical advice to manage his condition but has not been able to get through on the phone for 'months'.

With eConsult taken away, Mrs Goddard says she is worried about how they will cope over the festive season.

The 50-year-old said: "Every Christmas something has gone wrong with his health and in the end we end up in an ambulance so it concerns me I'm not even going to have GP support.

"I always use the eConsult service, that way they have to get back to you within 48 hours.

"Not having that service at all, and having to rely on 111 for that period, is frustrating and concerning.

"We are going to have to rely on getting through on the phone which is near impossible, and who wants to go to A&E for something when they really shouldn't have to?

"There will be more people ringing which will block the phones more than ever."

eConsult enables GP practices to offer online consultations to patients who submit their symptoms, or requests to their doctor, electronically.

Health care professionals can then contact the patient for an appointment, or follow up, if needed.

It can also be used to ask for medical certificates and accessing test results.

While the service is closed for two weeks, the practice itself will only be closed for four days from Christmas Day, and on Monday, January 3.

When it is open, patients can still phone for an appointment as usual but will not be able to access eConsult.

With the service taken away, Mrs Goddard also raised concerns about the pressure it could put on the William Harvey Hospital as more people struggling to get help could be forced to go to A&E.

On the practice website, it explains: "Any medical certificates required during this time will be completed from January 4 - certificates will be back dated if necessary.

"If you need any of your prescriptions prior to Christmas, please make sure you request them by Friday, December 17 to ensure you have all your medication.

"If you need any of your prescriptions before the New Year holiday, please make sure you request them by Wednesday, December 29."

Sydenham House Medical Centre has been approached for comment.