Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has called for a public consultation in his constituency on proposals to move certain essential services from New Cross Hospital to Cannock Chase.
The plans, which come as a result of the imminent takeover of Cannock Chase Hospital by the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, would see some treatments and non-emergency surgeries be shifted from the Wolverhampton facility.
A public consultation has been launched in Wolverhampton but the views of South Staffordshire residents have not been sought, despite the two hospitals serving a vast swathe of the constituency.
Gavin has written to Mr. David Loughton, chief executive of The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, to urge him to carry out a consultation in the area.
Gavin said: “Both these hospitals serve South Staffordshire residents. It therefore seems utterly nonsensical that South Staffordshire residents’ views are not being sought. This step could seriously impact thousands of local people - some of whom may have attended New Cross Hospital their entire lives - and we deserve to have our say.
“I have contacted the Council to urge it to launch an immediate consultation in South Staffordshire and I will continue to fight to ensure that our voices are heard.”
According to existing proposals, routine surgeries such as gall bladder surgery, hernia repair and hip, knee and ankle surgery would be carried out in Cannock.
Day treatment, including endoscopy, rheumatology and dermatology, would also move to the site.
Around 10,000 existing patients are likely to be affected, which is just under a quarter of the total number of people who presently have inpatient and day case surgery at New Cross Hospital, each year.
Gavin is urging South Staffordshire patients to share their views of the proposals online, at www.wolverhamptonccg.nhs.uk, or by e-mailing wolccg.wccg@nhs.net.