A GOVERNMENT-funded clinic which provides free healthcare to the needy will be shutting down in June, the has been told.

Last November Government announced that it intended to close down the Medical Clinic, based at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, claiming patients were having their dignity "undermined". The plan sparked outrage from medical professionals, who claimed that the centre provided an essential service for patients who lacked the resources to seek treatment through the usual channels.

The centre employs two doctors and a number of support staff who deal with as many as 50 patients a week. Transport to the facility is provided free-of-charge, as are most prescriptions and medical supplies. Patients also have access to the hospital facilities such as X-ray and MRI equipment. The clinic has been upgraded in recent years and has just taken on a third doctor.

Medical Centre staff were told of the closure at a meeting last week.

Government now intends to force those in need to visit independent surgeries across the island for an initial appointment and, if necessary, go to the hospital for further treatment. Patients will also have to make a further journey to an independent pharmacist for prescriptions.

And the has been told that, under the new system, clients will be given a limit on the number of appointments they can make. Currently they can attend the Medical Clinic as often as necessary.

Critics of the closure yesterday claimed that thousands of patients will now be at risk of receiving no healthcare.

"What annoys me is that Government talks about patients now being able to empower themselves, yet patients of the clinic go there for that exact reason ? they can't empower themselves," one medic, who asked not to be named, said.

"It's not that they don't want to take on the responsibility of looking after themselves, it's just that many face certain challenges - be they mental or physical - which means they can't take on that responsibility."

The medical professional added that the clinic is able to cater to any number of 'walk-in' patients ? people who arrive without an making an appointment - and questioned if General Practitioners will be able to be as flexible.

One patient with walking difficulties, who has attended the clinic on a regular basis for a number of years, also expressed alarm at the pending closure.

"For me public transport is out of the question," the patient said. "How am I going to get to a doctor's surgery? Many of them don't even have wheelchair access.

"I don't have a telephone so making an appointment is going to be difficult. At the Medical Centre transport is provided and I can go there without making an appointment. And the great thing is, everything is under one roof."

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson also condemned the closure, saying that the poor will suffer.

"I know there is overwhelming support for the Medical Centre," she said.

"This is where people can see a doctor as frequently as they wish. This is where they can get their medications. This is where they can get diagnostic procedures done. And transport is provided."

Mrs. Jackson also rubbished Government claims that it was undignified to attend the clinic, pointing out that it was no different from attending any other hospital department.

"It's now going to be very difficult for some of these people to visit a doctor and get treatment," she said.