FEARS that the closure of accident and emergency units will cost lives because ambulances have to travel longer distances have been dismissed by the Department of Health.

Emergency trauma services at Wycombe Hospital were moved to Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury during summer 2005, but the A&E retains a dedicated respiratory unit.

A report published earlier this week by Sheffield University's Medical Research Unit found that for every extra six miles a seriously-ill patient has to travel by ambulance, the risk of death rises by one per cent.

The study, by Professor Jon Nicholl, focused on patients suffering from respiratory problems and chest pain, plus injury, poisoning, asphyxiation and haemorrhage. Data was collected from four ambulance services in England, but did not include Two Shires Ambulance Service, which operates in Buckinghamshire.

Frances Alexander, former chairman of Wycombe District Council who campaigned against the cuts to Wycombe A&E, said: "I'm relieved to hear that respiratory problems and chest pain can be dealt with at Wycombe and that the report does not refer to difficulties in downgrading our A&E department. But I still have concerns that the A4010 is not fit for purpose. There are a lot of people going backwards and forwards between the two hospitals."

The Department of Health has dismissed the report, which was conducted between 1997 and 2001, as out of date.

A spokesman said: "This study was done six years ago before major improvements in A&E services had been felt by NHS patients. Paramedics and nurses are much more than a patient taxi service. Many ambulance staff are trained to assess, diagnose and provide treatment at the scene.

"Ultimately, local health services need to decide the shape of local urgent and emergency care services so that they are responsive to the needs of the local population."

Meanwhile, Conservative leader David Cameron has vowed to fight to save at least 29 hospitals and 22 A&E units which face being downgraded according to research by his party.

Wycombe MP Paul Goodman said: "I think what the week's events have indicated is that cuts and closures will take place elsewhere. My concern is local. Our A&E has already been downgraded and we've lost important elements of our child and maternity services to Aylesbury, despite 40,000 people signing a petition against it that was backed by all local doctors, political parties and health committees. This causes great difficulty for both patients and visitors. But we retain a 24/7 urgent care centre."

Wycombe Hospital declined to comment.