Candidates clashed over Wycombe’s dilapidated emergency services as the district’s Conservative candidate was accused of “throwing in the towel” when it came to restoring NHS services to the town’s hospital.

Steve Baker said he would not “lie” to voters and promise to campaign on restoring the town’s A&E when he knows it is something that he “can’t deliver”.

At the Bucks Free Press' hustings event on Tuesday, candidates were quizzed by members of the audience in a Question Time-style debate chaired by former Doctor Who star and BFP columnist, Colin Baker.

The lack of emergency facilities at Wycombe Hospital has been a bone of contention since services were taken away from the Queen Alexandra Road building in 2005.

While the hospital now boasts a Minor Injuries and Illness Unit, the nearest A&Es are located at Stoke Mandeville and Wexham Park.

The Conservative representative said that Wycombe will not have a full A&E returned to it and that any politician who suggests otherwise is misleading people.

Bucks Free Press:

Steve Baker

He said: “The problem is that action has been taken to operate as a network of hospitals.

“We can’t go back to the old style A&E, it means having specialised care. An urgent care centre yes, a full scale A&E, no.

“It is about clinical practice, not political will. “I am a free market Conservative MP and I am arguing for a greater degree of nationalisation than we have already.

“I live in West Wycombe after all, I will always fight for the patients, but I am not going to sit here and lie to you.”

Mr Baker’s comments received strong opposition from those challenging his Wycombe parliamentary seat.

Bucks Free Press:

David Williams

Labour candidate, David Williams, said that Mr Baker had given up on the town’s hospital services and Steve Guy, Lib Dem, said he would make Wycombe Hospital his number one priority if he was elected.

Mr Williams said: “Steve has thrown in the towel on A&E in Wycombe. An urgent care centre is only a slightly enhanced Minor injuries unit.”

“If the people want their A&E back that is what I will argue for, it’s what I’m paid to do. I won’t promise but I’ll do my absolute best.”

Liberal Democrat, Mr Guy, said the decision that Wycombe did not need an A&E was “flawed” and that restoring facilities to Wycombe Hospital would be his “number one pledge”.

The Lib Dem said: “If you elect me and do not see any progress, throw me out in five years’ time.”

Mr Guy added: “I do not believe that NHS England should be able to overrule MPs that we pay for.”

Ukip representative, David Meacock, said: “When something goes awry and specialist medical teams are needed the idea of getting into an ambulance along the rickety rural roads is ridiculous.

“We need to make sure we have the A&E services at the highest level so we can get help and do not have to go halfway across the countryside.”

For full coverage of the debate, see our live blog.