Stafford Hospital A&E petition attracts thousands of signatures

More than 7,000 people have signed a petition expressing concerns about the temporary night closure of Stafford Hospital's A&E unit.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust recently approved a three-month closure of A&E at the hospital from 22:00 until 08:00 GMT, starting on 1 December.

Trust chief executive Lynn Hill-Tout has said the closure will allow resources to be focused on the daytime.

Campaigners are concerned about the travel time to other hospitals.

There are other A&E departments at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent, Queen's Hospital in Burton, New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and Walsall Manor Hospital.