Closing down more services in Wycombe Hospital could lead to privatisation, Wycombe Labour fear. 

Health spokesman Linda Derrick told the BFP Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust was “desperate” for money, overspending its budget by almost £11 million last year and plans to overspend by around £9 million this year.

She said: “What many fear is that the hospital, or part of the hospital, will be sold off for development.

“The Trust needs the money and WDC needs housing so residents can see that development is a possibility.”

This comes after the BFP revealed earlier this week that health bosses are planning to close an entire ward just days after a 10,000-strong petition for better health services was delivered to Downing Street.

Ward 5B, which cares for ‘frail older people’ is under threat from closure, with the service being replaced with a £1 million package of "community care".

Bucks Healthcare Trust insists between three-quarters and all of the patients in the ward do not need to remain in hospital, calling it "unnecessary", and says the care packages would support patients to remain with "dignity and independence" in their own homes or care home.

Speaking about the care packages, Ms Derrick said: “It makes good sense to make more provision for elderly people in their own homes or the community rather than hospital. It is better for the elderly and it is cheaper.

“But against the background of the Trust facing bankruptcy, residents need assurance that £1 million is going to cover the need.

“And they need assurance that this is not the start of preparing the hospital for a housing redevelopment."

She also echoed the thoughts of health campaigners cllr Julia Wassell and Ozma Hafiz, who was behind the Downing Street petition, saying the Trust should “come clean” about its long term plans for the future of Wycombe hospital.

Speaking about other key services which have closed down or moved to other hospitals, she said: "Residents can see that what was once a thriving hospital is now deteriorating.