HEALTH chiefs are seeking public opinion over drastic changes to services provided at Wharfedale General Hospital in Otley.

A three-month consultation was launched by the Leeds Health Authority last Friday to gauge reaction to proposals which would see all emergency care transferred to the city's general infirmary.

Developed by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), the proposals recommend that Wharfedale General becomes a centre for care and rehabilitation, while expanding its outpatient clinics.

But an Otley GP is warning the move could just be a 'paper exercise'. Dr Graham Kirkland said he thought the writing was already on the wall for the town's hospital. He said: "The hospital as we know it is up for goodbye by the end of July. I have a great suspicion this is only a paper exercise, not a genuine consultation."

And he said the time for debating a hospital site was now over. "There's no point arguing where it will be when we don't know if there is even going to be a hospital with the facilities we expect."

A key feature of the plan is that patients needing emergency care - including heart attacks, strokes or other life-threatening illnesses - are taken directly to the LGI. Bosses claim this will greatly improve their treatment by providing the back-up speciality care and hi-tech equipment unavailable at the Otley hospital.

However, Dr Kirkland fears more lives will actually be lost due to the centralisation of such services. He said in the 400 cases of acute chest pain admitted to Wharfedale General each year, the first two hours of treatment were crucial.

"Although they say the ambulance service can get you to Leeds in 14 minutes, I don't believe them - unless they've got jet-propelled ambulances."

But the LTHT asserts that the newly-built accident and emergency department at the LGI will give serious cases a much better chance of survival. The proposals pledge to reduce waiting times for out-patient appointments by improving services at Wharfedale. Chief executive of the health authority, Prof Ron De Witt, said the scheme was the best way of using NHS resources.

He added: "Health experts have outlined the blueprint for the way forward for emergency services at Wharfedale Hospital but it is equally important that the public comment on these proposals so that the best possible outcome is achieved."

The outcome of the consultation will be considered at a meeting of the Leeds Health Authority on 27 July.

l Dates for public meetings have yet to be finalised. Full copies of the consultation document can be obtained by telephoning (0113) 2952116 and written comments can be sent to Prof De Witt of the Leeds Health Authority at Blenheim House, West One, Duncombe Street, Leeds LS1 4PL.

The Wharfedale Observer also wants to hear what our readers think of the changes. Write to us at 9 Orchard Gate, Otley LS21 3NX.

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