Heatherwood Hospital campaigners seek government meeting

Heatherwood Hospital was founded in 1922

Protesters against a decision to cut services at a Berkshire hospital are seeking a meeting with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

NHS plans for Heatherwood in Ascot include closing its birthing centre and relocating its minor injuries unit.

Windsor MP Adam Afriyie said at a 150-strong public meeting on Thursday that he would seek government-level support.

The local clinical commissioning group (CCG) supports the NHS plan and said it was "in patients' best interests".

Surgical centre plans

More than 3,300 people have so far signed a council-organised petition against the plans.

Mr Afriyie, a Conservative, said: "I have expressed time and time again that local services must reflect the views and needs of local people, and now is an important time to take action."

NHS Berkshire has ratified plans to move Heatherwood's minor injuries unit to a new centre in Bracknell, close the birthing centre because of "low numbers" choosing to give birth there, and close a rehabilitation ward.

Dr Adrian Hayter, chairman of Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead CCG, said: "We are very clear that the changes will bring long-lasting improvements for local people."

He added the CCG had also discussed plans to build a surgical centre on the hospital site, proposed for 2015-2016.