Campaigners held a candlelit vigil after blood services were stopped at Deal hospital.

Phlebotomy clinics were scrapped at the London Road hospital in October last year, with GP surgeries across the town now carrying out all blood tests.

It sparked fears among patients of longer waiting times – although the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) which manages healthcare says tests remain at a 'steady level'.

As no public consultation was held at the time, MP for the district Natalie Elphicke has now launched one of her own.

She invited residents to join her for a candlelit vigil at Deal Pier on Friday night as part of the launch of the consultation.

Cllr Trevor Bond, Cllr Tony Grist and health campaigners Marsha Horne and Anne Matthews were part of the crowd that attended.

Mrs Elphicke said: "Healthcare matters to us all. It’s vital we have health services in Deal and Walmer delivering what is wanted and needed by our community.

"That’s why I am conducting a full public consultation on blood testing services and local healthcare. It’s vital everyone has their say.

"Our healthcare professionals do a wonderful job. It is important they have the support they need so they can continue to provide top quality care to residents."

The MP’s consultation is now open online and will also be sent to every home in Deal, Walmer and Sholden.

It will be open until April 2. Visit natalieelphicke.com/betterhealthcare/

The NHS Kent and Medway CCG says it was “always the intention phlebotomy services would continue to be provided locally in Deal ”, adding it worked with practices to explain the changes to patients.

A spokesman said: “Everyone living in Deal continues to have access to blood tests in the town.

"Phlebotomy services are part of routine care that all general practices are contracted to provide.

"Since the transition from Deal hospital to general practice, the number of blood tests have remained at a steady level."