VILLAGERS are being urged to help save their GP surgery as a health trust looks to close it.

There are fears people in Milverton could be forced to travel three miles to Wiveliscombe to see their doctor, which would hit vulnerable people hard.

Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which struck a year-long deal to run the Milverton practice last September, says it now believes the "safest and best way" ahead is to offer services from Lister House, in Wiveliscombe.

The trust has rented the Milverton surgery since the previous partners retired but says it is struggling to recruit doctors, instead employing expensive locums, leading to reduced appointment times.

It has now written to villagers seeking their views on its preferred option of closing the surgery.

Milverton Parish Council chairman Dr Julie Richardson said the trust had done insufficient background work before reaching its decision.

She said: "We think they're now collecting information they should have collected before deciding on their preferred option.

"They're asking villagers' concerns while already putting forward their preferred option.

"We also have concerns about the trust management, who say the reason is a lack of doctors.

"We know there's a national lack of GPs, but the trust not only has difficulties recruiting, but also retaining doctors.

"Maybe there are other things at play rather than just a shortage - why can't they hold onto doctors they recruit?

"Milverton was the first GP practice the trust took on and perhaps it was a step too far for them.

"We're in the process of communicating with NHS England over concerns about the way this is being done. It's not with the professionalism you'd expect.

"It's the most vulnerable who will find it hardest to get into Wiveliscombe - the elderly, people without cars, families with young children.

"We want as many people as possible to make it clear if they want to keep the surgery."

Writing to patients, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust says problems signing up permanent GPs have led to reduced appointments and concerns over whether one doctor could respond "quickly and safely in an emergency situation".

The trust, which introduced additional services such as physiotherapists, specialist nurses and mental health support at Milverton, says there is an issue with the surgery building, as it is rented from its owners, the previous partners who want to sell it.

A spokesman said: "This raises questions about what is the safest way of looking after patients and how we can best use the local doctors that we do have.

"This means we need to be realistic about whether running the service from two sites is the safest and most appropriate way to deliver services for local people and also how this service can be sustained for the long term."

A consultation that started on Monday runs until September 4.