Readers show support for hospital campaign (From Bucks Free Press)

Readers show support for hospital campaign

3:19pm Friday 20th October 2006 in News By Paul Leat

HUNDREDS of readers have shown support for the Don't Do It Hewitt campaign to protect vital A & E services at Wycombe Hospital.

The campaign was launched less than two weeks ago in our sister paper the South Bucks Star and already close to 500 people have written in urging Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to block any future plans to transfer accident and emergency services from the hospital in Queen Alexandra Road.

Midweek and Star editor Steve Cohen launched the campaign after Bucks Hospitals' NHS Trust announced more changes could be forced on it by the Department of Health.

And health chiefs admitted they could not give any reassurances about the long-term future of Wycombe Hospital's A & E department.

Victoria Sandy, from Moat Lane, Prestwood, said: "I had treatment at the A & E a couple of years ago after I fell down the stairs at work. Had that not been there I dread to think where I would have ended up. It is bad enough that they are moving maternity services, but to lose another service is ridiculous. A large central population like High Wycombe needs these facilities."

Jo Morris, from Parsons Walk, Holmer Green, has rushed her mother to A & E in the past.

"A large central population like High Wycombe needs these facilities.”

Victoria Sandy

She said: "Stoke Mandeville is a long way away if something were to happen to you. It is not just my generation I worry for, it is the older and younger generations too that will be affected."

Local health officials have insisted there is no plan to transfer A & E at present.

Stuart McFadyen, from the Department of Health, said any changes would need to go through a public consultation before the Health Secretary could get involved. He said: "Any changes are a long way off. This is not something she would comment on at this stage."