Plan to move hospital services from town on hold

Buxton is about 18 miles away from Stockport

Proposals to move nine hospital services from Buxton to Stockport have been put on hold.

Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it had "significant concerns" about plans from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to relocate some outpatient services to Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

The ICB said the trust contacted the body in October about moving ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), rheumatology, gynaecology, urology, respiratory care, surgical, diabetes and the pain clinic.

It added constructive discussions with the trust had taken place and the proposals were currently on hold.

Outpatients are people who have an appointment in a hospital or clinic but do not need to stay overnight.

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust wants to move some services from Buxton to Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport

The ICB said its concerns included the planning process and stakeholder engagement that had been carried out before the announcement.

The trust has subsequently been asked to provide a detailed business case to outline the rationale for the plans, carry out impact assessments and assess the level of public involvement required ahead of any decisions being made to change service provision.

Jon Pearce, MP for High Peak, said securing a pause to the proposed changes was a "vital first step" and added the area "cannot afford to lose" the outpatient services.

"Buxton Hospital is a lifeline for our community. Shifting services without consultation or understanding the consequences was never acceptable, and I'm glad NHS leaders have recognised that," the Labour MP added.

A spokesperson for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said the trust aims to provide patients and carers with more control and improved access to a wider range of services.

"We want to empower people to book their own follow up care as and when they need it, and work with primary care to enable access to earlier expert care," they said.

"We are currently in close discussion with NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB about how to carry this forward and provide the outpatient care local people need."