A BUCKS MP has demanded answers from health chiefs after an anonymous 'tip-off' raised "serious concerns" about the some of the planned changes for Wycombe Hospital.

A letter received by Steve Baker, seemingly from a hospital insider, questions the clinical case for moving some complex vascular surgery to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

The NHS says the move would increase the volume of patients with complex artery and vein disorders being treated in Oxford, therefore increasing the level of expertise and improving outcomes. Consultant level doctors would be available 24-hours-a-day.

But the anonymous letter argues that Wycombe currently has better outcomes than the John Radcliffe for these procedures, including aneurysm repair, despite seeing fewer patients.

While the proposal is for Wycombe to retain carotid surgery [one type of vascular surgery to prevent stroke], the letter says these procedures would eventually have to move to Oxford as well.

This could in turn threaten the future of the new hyper-acute stroke unit at Wycombe, the letter says.

Two expert reviews of the plans, referenced in the proposals, confirm the option to retain carotid surgery "could only be viable for a limited period and would need to be reviewed in three years".

A review by the National Clinical Advisory Team, released by the NHS two weeks ago, confirms "there is a risk that, if vascular surgery does not continue at Wycombe, this may have an impact on the activity and thereby sustainability of critical care services".

The critical care unit at Wycombe, with full intensive care support, is "a key component that supports both acute stroke services and acute coronary services".

Mr Baker, MP for Wycombe, said: "Following the release of information by staff at the hospital it is up to Dr Luzzi [medical director for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust] to give reassurance and answer each of the points that have been raised.

"Obviously I’m concerned and they need to reassure us that the future of [stroke and coronary] services is at Wycombe."

The anonymous letter also says moving vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to Oxford "will, over the long term, threaten the viability of a whole range of local acute services that depend on these specialities for support".

Under the proposals Wycombe Hospital would retain vascular services for routine patients, such as outpatients or day cases.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which controls Wycombe Hospital, has signed up to the plan. The trust said it was not able to provide a ‘point by point’ answer to the letter at this stage.

But spokesman Lee Jones said: "We are proud of the high quality vascular service we provide at Wycombe Hospital and are keen to sustain its future.

"We have been working with the regional vascular network and support the proposed option to keep the majority of vascular surgery at Wycombe Hospital, including carotid surgery for people who have suffered a stroke.

"Whilst we do achieve good outcomes for patients who require more complex vascular surgery (particularly aortic aneurysm repair), we only see a relatively small number of patients who require this surgery every year."

These plans have been published alongside those to remove several specialist medical services from Wycombe Hospital.