The department is currently only in use during the day. Credit: ITV West Country
Plans to close Cheltenham's accident and emergency department have been confirmed - a move described as a terrible idea by the town's MP.
Trust managers in Gloucestershire are expected to officially confirm the closure plans next week.
That will means there will be no emergency admissions to Cheltenham during the day, with patients being taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital instead. The unit is currently shut overnight.
Alex Chalk, the Conservative MP for Cheltenham, says the proposals will see the accident and emergency department downgraded to an Urgent Treatment Centre, and has set up a petition against the changes.
He said that it was a “bad proposal” and “a flawed way of engaging about it”. He has said he will be doing everything in his power to stop it from happening.
The town's MP will be starting a petition to stop plans going ahead. Credit: ITV West Country
Campaigners in the town, which has a population of 120,000, say the unit is crucial.
All emergencies will now be going to Gloucestershire Hospital. Credit: ITV West Country
Max Wilkinson, Cheltenham Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, has condemned Alex Chalk's statement.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust made the following statement:
