Opening hours at the only doctor's surgery in southern Borehamwood have been slashed by eight hours a week leaving scores of elderly and vulnerable residents in the lurch.

The Manor Way Surgery, in Manor Way, is cutting its surgery on Monday afternoons and Friday mornings and will now be open for just 16 hours a week.

Patients will now be expected to travel to the newly opened Grove Medical Centre in Borehamwood's Shopping Park, but have not received formal written notice informing them of the changes.

Clifford Jones, 73, from Kenilworth Drive, has been a patient at the Manor Way surgery for more than 50 years. "It's an utter disgrace," he said. "There's work for a full-time doctor there. Whenever we call up, we never seem to be able to get an appointment.

"More and more people are moving to the area and they just keep cutting the hours. All the elderly people here are in the same boat. We just can't travel all the way there every time we need to see a doctor.

"Soon this side of Borehamwood will have no doctors whatsoever. When this practice opened there were three permanent doctors there.

"That was 50 years ago and there are more people living here now.

"Nobody has been written to notify us these time changes were just left behind the counter. If you're a person that visits the doctor on a regular basis then you're okay, but if you don't go for the next three months, you won't know."

The surgery came under threat of closure in December 2004 following the retirement of Dr Jennifer Spring.

But following an outcry from patients at a public meeting, Hertsmere Primary Care Trust (PCT) agreed to keep the surgery open.

The PCT refused to discuss the changes.

Robert Hilliard, vice-chairman of Hertsmere Patients' Forum, said: "The situation is worrying. The way it looks, soon there won't be a satisfactory health provision in that area."

The Grove Medical Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, and 1.30pm to 6.30pm.

To book an appointment, call 0844 477 8942.