The NHS chief that heads up a clinical group of GP services across South Bucks said she is “very sorry” to hear of the stories which arose from a hospital health review event.

Dr Annet Gamell, chief clinical officer of Chiltern Clinical Commissioning Group, responded to the concerns raised at a listening event last week, in which residents shared some of the poor experiences they had at Wycombe Hospital and Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

While many residents commended clinical staff, the administration and organisation of the health services were heavily criticised, especially the controversial decision to remove Wycombe’s accident and emergency department.

Yet Dr Gammell defended the decision to centralise the A and E department, saying a centralised service at Stoke Mandeville allows the most seriously ill patients to have access to senior doctors.

Dr Annet Gamell said: “As Clinical Commissioning Groups that commission healthcare in Buckinghamshire we want to make sure that we provide the best treatment possible for those who need to use our services, and work closely with our service providers to ensure that this happens.

“We came to the listening event to hear the views of the public and were very sorry to hear of some of the stories about poor care that has been received.

“However, it is important for us to know such experiences to be able to help shape and improve the services we provide, so I would like to thank the public for sharing them with us.

“We are reflecting on what has been said and will be reporting back to the Improvement and Review Commission meeting on November 12 which is open to the public.

“However, in the meantime I hope that some of the information below will help not only to offer immediate reassurance but answer some important questions.

“The decision to centralise A and E and inpatient emergency medical services to Stoke Mandeville Hospital was so that the most seriously ill patients have more access to senior doctors – there is clear evidence that this leads to better outcomes for patients.

“At the same time, we wanted to make sure that people with more minor injuries and illnesses could have a local service in High Wycombe.

“The Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, usually treating all patients within an hour of arrival - much less that the average waiting time at Accident and Emergency.

“We are aiming to ensure that all of our medical services are coordinated and that patients and the public are clear about where to go for what condition, including during out-of-hours, and within primary care.

“In Buckinghamshire, we are about to launch a review of primary care and out-of-hours services across the county and are keen to hear your views and suggestions of how these can be improved.

“We will be holding a series of listening events to hear from local people or you can also write to us or email us at chilternccg@nhs.net”

The Chiltern CCG, which is a group of 35 GP practices in Amersham, Wycombe and South Buckinghamshire, serves a population of more than 320,000 and manages a budget of £307 million.