DOCTORS planning to close Kings Worthy surgery are set to replace it with a weekly 'wellbeing cafe' in Winchester.

Patients will be ferried to Weeke for access to GPs and social care under proposals by Friarsgate Practice, which says Springvale Surgery is unviable.

But county councillor Jackie Porter has said the replacement service is not fit for the job.

The cafe sessions, to be held on Wednesday mornings at Friarsgate's Stockbridge Road centre, will be served by minibuses from the villages.

Marc Dryden, Friarsgate's project manager, said the service would mitigate damage to vulnerable patients, who will have to travel to see a doctor.

He said: "We will be offering them a one-stop shop effectively, where we can look after all their needs.

"What we're determined to do is make sure that we take every reasonable measure to try and mitigate against any adverse effects to the most vulnerable patients. I think we've done that."

He added that patients who attended a consultation last Saturday were "very enthusiastic" about the scheme.

However, Cllr Porter said: "It's a very good idea for wellbeing but it doesn't do the job of helping people when they're ill.

"South Wonston has a surgery, Sutton Scotney has a surgery, Badger Farm has a surgery, Alresford has a surgery, but Kings Worthy, as big as it is, seems not to justify a surgery and that seems truly wrong.

"We're not taking it lying down."

Cllr Porter, chairman of Tubbs Hall, said she offered the community centre to doctors but they turned it down.

"If there was a genuine wish for a surgery in Kings Worthy, I think they would have found a way by now," she added.

Councillors are writing to other surgeries for help and will seek funding for a new bus service as a last resort.

Transport is a key issue for elderly patients and younger people without cars.

Mr Dryden said he expected voluntary groups to help ferry residents to the Weeke practice.

"We can't do it on our own," he said. "We need the community to involve themselves in this and that's what we will attempt to do."

Cllr Porter said: "Healthcare is the responsibility of the CCGs [clinical commissioning groups] and the NHS. If we had wanted to run a taxi service we would have done it."

Meanwhile, village pharmacist Eric Norgbey has reassured patients that his shop will remain open but must adapt to survive.

It is understood prescriptions issued at Weeke or other surgeries will be sent to Mr Norgbey, who offers home delivery.