Walk in services and a GP surgery will be moved when a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) is introduced to the area.

NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has confirmed the town's Whitehorse Surgey, in Vale Road, and the Fleet Healthcare Campus, both in Northfleet, will relocate to wherever the new UTC goes.

At the moment the CCG have asked locals for their views on a proposal that the centre is created at Darent Valley Hospital in Darenth Wood Road, Dartford.

Last year, the group also considered Gravesham Community Hospital, in Bath Road, Gravesend, as a possible location.

The new UTC will be placed at either of the previously mentioned sites and treat minor illnesses and minor injuries and is expected to open in 2020.

A public consultation will take place later in the year.

A CCG spokesman said: "The CCG has been reviewing its urgent care services for some time, with a view to creating a new Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) for patients in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.

"We are currently exploring two options with the public for where this may be located, in anticipation of a full public consultation later this year.

"In the meantime, both the Whitehorse Surgery registered list, and the walk in centre at the Fleet Health Campus in Northfleet, will be provided until July 1 2020, when we expect the new UTC to open.

"Running alongside this review, Fleet Healthcare are developing their own plans for neighbouring GP practices to work more closely together at the campus from July."

Local GP and chairman of the CCG Dr Sarah MacDermott said: "This will simplify things for local people helping them to access the right care when they need it, under one roof and will mean we can help take pressure off the local Emergency Department.

"We would like to get people’s feedback on our plans and would encourage everyone to fill in our survey.”

Gravesham council leader David Turner (Ind), said: "I can see merit in sitting the service alongside the minor injuries at Gravesend and in the provision of a similar facility at Darent Valley Hospital, provided the appropriate level of expertise is available at both.

"However, if the intention was to provide an UTC at one site or the other I would be totally opposed to having nothing at Gravesend. The walk-in centre is valued by residents of Northfleet and Gravesend and removal of the service would create significant concerns."

Patients in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley can complete the survey online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/urgentcaredgs.

Alternatively, you can request a printed copy by contacting the CCG at dgs.ccg@nhs.net or by calling 03000 424903.