NEARLY 400 patients at Southwick will have to travel to Wickham after their local doctor's surgery closes this week following two years of uncertainty.

The once-a-week surgery is being shut down because it it considered that there are not enough patients to justify keeping it open.

The decision comes as little comfort to the village's elderly and disabled who don't drive, cannot get on buses or walk up the hill in Station Road to Wickham Practice.

They have yet to be convinced that a subsidised minibus service making the round trip from Southwick to Wickham will suit them.

Disabled John Waters, 72, has lived in the village for 45 years and said his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles had all used the practice.

"There's a 100-year history behind it. It's absolutely terrible it's closing.

"I can drop off my prescriptions here and pick them up in Southwick Stores. It works very well."

Widow Patricia Ferguson, 75, who lives in the village's Royal Naval cottages said: "I am very reliant on coming to the surgery. I have had a long illness and need regular prescriptions.

"The last time I took a taxi to Wickham Practice it cost me between £17 and £20 because it had to wait for me."

Alma Arnall-Culliford, 81, said the most vulnerable people were being penalised.

Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust has organised a subsidised minibus service on a 20-week trial basis costing patients £2.50 for each round trip.

The Wickham Practice will also reserve five appointments every Tuesday morning for Southwick residents.

New arrangements for repeat prescriptions will mean patients must request medication one week in advance.

They will have to take their repeat prescriptions to Southwick Stores where they will be collected by the minibus driver and taken to Wickham Practice.

Seven days later on the following Tuesday morning the medication will be dropped off at Southwick Stores for collection.

Southwick councillor Ken Carter said health bosses were failing in their duty to patients.

"The trust was awarded two stars by the government for its performance this month but failed to meet two key targets on patients' access to GP's and health professionals.

"The PCT's actions confirm they are not helping people have access to a local GP."

Nobody was available from the PCT for comment but a spokeswoman said the replacement service would be monitored.