Buxton Hospital Services Move Halted Amid Concerns

Plans to move outpatient services from Buxton and Cavendish hospitals to Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport have been indefinitely postponed. Initially slated for June, the relocation of nine services, including ophthalmology and gynaecology, will not proceed as scheduled. Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has announced that there are currently no defined timelines for this transfer.

This decision follows significant concerns raised by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding the initial planning and public engagement. The trust was asked to provide a detailed business case and impact assessments. Concerns about due diligence and a lack of proper consultation were cited as reasons for the delay. Labour MP Jon Pearce has welcomed the cancellation, stating that the original deadline has been entirely scrapped and a full process for assessing next steps will now occur, prioritizing health outcomes over financial implications.

The trust has stated that any permanent changes to services would require thorough engagement with patients and stakeholders to understand potential impacts and inform future decisions through appropriate scrutiny processes. They remain committed to this approach.