The lack of an A&E service at High Wycombe's hospital is due to advances in modern medicine, says MP Steve Baker.

Baker addressed the issue, explaining that the nature of present-day healthcare means that High Wycombe's hospital is simply not equipped to host a full-scale A&E department.

The Free Press asked for his comment after a woman from Flackwell Heath waited "16 hours" to have her son seen at Stoke Mandeville.

ALSO READ: Mum's 16 hours with son in A&E fears for future of Bucks health care

Gurjit Lochab said: "I am trully baffled by the healthcare situation in Buckinghamshire. I have tried to look for information about why Wycombe A&E was closed down but all I can kind of make out is that it was due to the state of the building.

"Surely, this would deem a temporary closure sensible whilst alterations or a new project was roled out for reconstruction. Statistics show, and I have personally witnessed, that the pressure being put on the nearest hospitals to accomodate the population that Wycombe catered for is unsustainable. Yet, housing projects are being considered for the area, which even a primary school child will be able to explain just does not make sense."

Steve Baker has given us a comment, which we have printed in full below:

"It is a reasonable question to ask why there is not a full A&E service at Wycombe Hospital.  Everyone would welcome that, no one more than me.  It goes without saying any Member of Parliament for Wycombe would exhaust all opportunities to bring A&E back to Wycombe Hospital, and since my election I have investigated if there is any possibility I could do so. 

"Unfortunately, modern medicine means a full A&E in Wycombe is just not possible. No amount of political will could trump the reality of improved modern medicine and it is misleading to suggest otherwise.

Bucks Free Press: Stoke Mandeville's A&E department Stoke Mandeville's A&E department (Image: Newsquest)

"When Wycombe Hospital was built in the 1960s, the treatment for a heart attack was bed rest. With advances in medicine, many conditions including heart attacks are now treated in specialist units. Consequently, if you have a heart attack you are now five times more likely to live. 

"Specialised care is spread throughout the county, including our specialised heart and stroke units in Wycombe Hospital.  This has dramatically improved outcomes for patients. Old-style A&E departments gave peace of mind but were not able to provide the standard of care we demand today. 

"While specialisation significantly drives up quality of care, it means hospitals must serve larger populations.  So, while I would love to have a full-service hospital in Wycombe, today’s quality of care means we can have one set of services to serve the whole of the county.  

"Those services are of course divided between Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville. The practical reality is that we will not see Stoke Mandeville’s facilities relocated to Wycombe. Apart from any other factors, Stoke Mandeville is central to our county and there is not sufficient space in Wycombe. 

"Over the years, many people standing for election have promised people they will find a way to bring back A&E.

"Any such promise is either terribly ill-informed or deliberately misleading. At the last election, even the Labour candidate had to admit at the Bucks Free Press’ own hustings that his campaign to return A&E had no basis in reality. The people of Wycombe deserve better than cynical politics like that.

ALSO READ: Wycombe Hospital approaching end of life says NHS trust

Bucks Free Press:

"That is why I have always been honest about healthcare in our town, whatever the political risks. I think Wycombe people deserve that. 

"We have seen considerable progress in Wycombe since 2010, including delivery of the Urgent Treatment Centre and the successful awarding of the Wycombe Elective Surgical Centre as a national surgical hub. 

"The Urgent Treatment Centre is classed as an A&E Type 3 and can treat many urgent medical needs including broken bones, high temperature in children and adults, sprains, cuts and bruises.  Constituents who have used this service often comment on the good and prompt care they have received. 

"The Government has recently published its Urgent and Emergency Care Plan alongside an investment of £1 billion to deliver 5,000 more hospital beds compared to the numbers originally planned for 2022-23, and to put over 800 more ambulances on the road.

"This will speed up discharge from hospitals, free up beds for patients needing urgent and emergency care and, ultimately, reduce pressures on hospitals so that A&E departments can be better serviced.

"Ultimately, the issue of A&E waiting times is a complicated problem that can’t be solved overnight. Much of the NHS is still dealing with the legacy of Covid and the response to it.  Obviously a 16 hour wait at Stoke Mandeville A&E is not acceptable, but patients are triaged so the most urgent and life-threatening cases are seen first.

"Along with other Bucks MPs I am asking the Department of Health for funding to rebuild our hospital.  The 1960s buildings are old and not suitable for modern medicine.  Conversations are at an early stage, but I hope the old part of the hospital can be rebuilt.  I hope and expect the excellent Elective Surgical Centre at Wycombe Hospital will be the catalyst for attracting new funding.

"I know how important healthcare is to everyone across Wycombe. Over the years, I have been proud to play my part in delivering care worthy of local people and I will continue to pursue the best healthcare possible at Wycombe Hospital."