Community and political leaders have branded a doctors’ surgery proposal to close one of its branches “drastic” and “detrimental” in a new letter.

They claim Highparks Medical Practice’s “sudden and unexpected” decision to axe its Higham site has caused patients “deep worry, shock, anger, and frustration”.

The medical practice group said it was becoming “financially unsustainable” to operate its four sites, in Cliffe Woods, Cliffe, Higham and Wainscott, due to running costs and maintenance of the buildings.

Following an independent assessment and 18 months of discussions, it decided closing the Higham surgery would have the least impact on patients and is now making a formal application to shut the branch.

A statement published online added: “The practice emphasises that this is a difficult decision, and we want to assure patients that we are committed to providing safe, high-quality care throughout this transition.”

An open letter was sent to the chairman of NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) Cedi Fredrick from the MP for Gravesham Lauren Sullivan yesterday (February 17) objecting to the proposals.

It has also been signed by KCC’s councillor for Gravesham Rural, Bryan Sweetland, ward councillors for Higham, Jordan Meade, Leslie Pearton and Helen Ashenden, the chairman of Higham Parish Council, John Grey, the parish’s priest, Fr Clive Jones, Rev Peter Michell from Higham Congregational Church, residents Charlotte Angell and David Mead, headteacher of Higham Primary School, Catherine Grattan, and the school’s chairman of governors, Brian Maynard.

The letter has outlined villagers’ concerns about the proposals to shut the branch in Hermitage Lane following a parish council meeting last Monday (February 10).

One of the main issues is it will force older people, those with disabilities or chronic health conditions, and vulnerable people to make their way to another site which could be “detrimental to their health and wellbeing, if not impossible”.

It also raised concerns from parents who do not drive and rely on walking to the Hermitage Lane site that their children will miss out on vaccinations.

On average, there are three buses a day from Higham and Cliffe, meaning that relying on services would be “restrictive” and would leave patients waiting for long periods before and after their appointments, the letter states.

It added: “Public transport links from Higham to the sister sites are unreliable, time-consuming and expensive.

“Not only this but in poor weather, especially in the winter months, it is unlikely that ill patients would wish to make such a journey.”

The letter also raised issues with the consultation process and said patients’ questions about the details of the practice’s independent financial assessment have not been answered due to “commercial confidentiality”.

It added: “This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for people who will be affected by the closure to understand the reason behind the sudden announcement, or, indeed, to engage with the consultation on an informed and reasoned basis.

“Given that many of the residents in Higham are older, and have been accustomed to having a local surgery which is easily accessible over decades, this is, understandably, alarming and confusing for them.

“We have also been contacted by a significant number of younger people, including those with complex healthcare needs, who also had no idea that such a decision was being made over the last 18 months - many of whom registered with the practice during this period.”

Patients also reported the surgery had been “winding down” its services by changing its opening hours and offering appointments at one of the other branches instead.

It is claimed this makes it “difficult to accurately capture the demand” for a GP surgery in the area and patients think the site has been providing less to ultimately close it.

Those who have signed the letter have also asked to attend a meeting with the ICB on March 4 and asked it to consider holding an informal process with community representatives and Highparks.

The letter added: “It is our strong opinion that maintaining some kind of GP service in Higham is better than closing down the site in its entirety.

“Even if this could be provided out of a smaller venue, or sold to another practice to provide a GP service in Higham.

“Ideally, we would like the practice to reconsider their decision to submit an application for closure, and for them to work with the ICB in developing a plan to maintain sustainable, well-run surgeries at all four sites, instead of taking this drastic decision which will have such an adverse impact on so many people.”

It comes as thousands of people sign a petition, set up by Higham resident Charlotte Angell, objecting to the proposed closure.

Speaking to KentOnline previously, she said the news came as a shock to patients who found out via text message on January 23 the GP surgery was planning to shut.

The practice has 2,831 registered patients on its books with a Higham postcode.

The nearest practice to Higham is Highparks’ main site at Cliffe Woods which is 1.9 miles away.