High Peak MP demands answers after reports Buxton Hospitals services have already been removed

Jon Pearce, Member of Parliament for High Peak, has demanded urgent action after receiving reports that some outpatient services at the Buxton Hospitals may already have been removed despite assurances that no changes would take place before a full public process had been completed.

The intervention comes after Jon Pearce MP held an urgent call today with NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), following concerns from residents that changes to services had already begun.

Earlier this year, Jon Pearce MP led a successful campaign to halt proposals from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to remove nine outpatient services from Buxton Hospital. Following pressure from Jon Pearce, local campaigners and thousands of residents who signed his petition, the Trust was instructed to pause its plans while a full business case, impact assessments and meaningful public consultation were carried out.

Jon Pearce MP said:

“I’ve just had a phone call with Derbyshire ICB about concerns of what’s happening with the services at Buxton Hospitals. For those of you that haven’t been following it, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has tried and tried again to remove nine outpatient services, and we’ve managed to stop them repeatedly. They’ve behaved absolutely appallingly from the start. I only found out about it at the end of last year because of some brave whistleblowers.

“Their plan was to try and remove the services in March, and we stopped them then, and then they tried again in June, and we stopped them then. We had an agreement that they need to go through a full process, listen to the views of local people, and have it properly recommissioned so that we get the services that local people deserve. Then, having agreed that, I find out they’ve removed some of the services anyway. This is completely unacceptable.

“Stockport has a duty to provide these services, and I’m determined that they’re going to. I’ve asked Derbyshire ICB to look at all options to force them to comply with their duties, and I won’t stop until we hold Stockport to account.

“Thank you so much to everyone that’s supported the campaign so far and to the thousands of people who have signed the petition. I’m on your side all the way. We’re going to fight this, and I’m absolutely determined that we’re going to get the right result for everyone in Buxton and High Peak.”

Jon Pearce MP launched his campaign to save the services last year after being contacted by residents deeply worried about what the loss of local outpatient services would mean for them, their families and the wider community. Patients raised concerns about having to travel longer distances to Stepping Hill Hospital, particularly older residents, those with mobility issues and people attending regular specialist appointments.

Since the proposals first emerged, Jon Pearce MP has worked closely with NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB, local councillors, health campaigners and community groups to ensure local voices have been heard and to secure a transparent process before any decisions are made.

Jon Pearce MP has reaffirmed that he will continue working with residents and campaigners until the future of Buxton Hospital services is secured and High Peak patients receive the accessible healthcare they deserve.