HEALTH chiefs are being asked for assurances over the future of Wharfedale Hospital's Endoscopy Department amid fears it is to close.

Otley and Yeadon councillor Sandy Lay has written to Leeds Teaching Hospitals calling for answers to the concerns of local people.

He said: "If the rumours are true that Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) intend to close the Endoscopy Department and redeploy affected staff then clearly this is a serious concern. I’ve written to LTH and they have replied stating that some permanent changes are proposed but they haven’t said what they are as yet. This does not bode well."

In February the LTH announced its plans to install new temporary theatres at Wharfedale Hospital in a bid to tackle a backlog of patients waiting for treatment.

Cllr Lay said at no point did the trust indicate that this would be to the detriment of another service within the hospital.

He added: "Clearly they would have known and it is very disappointing that LTH, knowing how much this community values its hospital, appear to be trying to close the Endoscopy Department by stealth and on the quiet.

"Over the last 12 months this excellent service seems to have deteriorated due to circumstances beyond the control of the excellent staff delivering Endoscopy services at the hospital. Staff are being moved to the bigger units in Leeds, sessions cancelled due to these movements and patients subsequently inconvenienced with delays, so any excuses from the Trust concerning the level of service delivered at the hospital will not wash for the community.

"I’m also being told that many of the patients and their delayed investigations are now being sent to the ‘private’ provider in Eccleshill. Funding profit making hospitals whilst closing NHS provision is not what I suspect most patients having to pay the 1.5 per cent National Insurance increase from April thought this money would be going.

"Finally, I’m sure the Trust will be telling us how great their plans are for the new Surgical Hub and the benefits this will bring and it is welcomed, but giving with one hand whilst taking with the other is not what patients, staff or the community wants to see. I hope the Trust will now come forward with proposals to ensure that both the surgical and endoscopic units can thrive at this excellent hospital, with its excellent staff and its excellent quality of care and safety record."

Mr Mark Liddington, Clinical Director for Planned Care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are committed to using Wharfedale Hospital fully to provide more extensive care for people from across north West Yorkshire Leeds and North Yorkshire. We are currently working on a £10m business case for the development of Wharfedale Hospital, which if approved will introduce two new operating theatres, new procedures and specialities, and reintroduced overnight stays for those patients who need them. We are looking to maximise Wharfedale Hospital to its best potential.

“This investment is part of the Trust’s strategy – and the national NHS strategy – to provide protected increased elective capacity to following the build-up of significant elective care waits for patients over the past couple of years. This investment will enable us to provide diagnostic procedures and elective operations for those people in Wharfedale and the wider area who are currently on our waiting lists. It will minimise the impact of emergency procedures leading to patients being cancelled at the last minute.

“As these plans develop we will be working with patients and partners to ensure we involve them in this work. We are committed to providing outstanding care for patients so we will be working with staff and partners to help us shape the future for Wharfedale Hospital.”