HOPES were dashed this week for Cotswold folk who wanted the return of a fully operational A&E at Cheltenham General Hospital.

A county council scrutiny committee met on Monday (8) to discuss a report by the NHS Gloucestershire Commissioning Group which concluded that a controversial pilot scheme limiting the emergency service at Cheltenham was to continue.

The A & E at Cheltenham used to be open 24/7 to all emergencies. However, about a year ago the pilot scheme saw ambulances being diverted to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital between the hours of 8pm and 8am.

Committee member and county councillor for Cirencester, Joe Harris, said: “Residents across the north of the Cotswolds are struggling as a result of this decision.

"It’s a long journey from Moreton to Gloucester. We all understand the budget pressures, but we now have to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to make sure that local people get a better service.”

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton- Brown said: “I am disappointed that patients will not have a choice of going to A&E in Cheltenham or Gloucester.

"On the other hand, if one is seriously ill, one wants the best clinical outcomes. So for example the most serious head injuries are automatically transferred to Bristol. Therefore it does make sense to have the highest skilled medical practitioners concentrated in one hospital.”

But Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cotswolds district and Gloucestershire County councillor and Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for the Cotswolds, said: "This is still a major problem for patients coming from the Cotswolds whose nearest hospital is Cheltenham.

"The fact remains that journey times for anyone living in Bourton, Chipping Campden and Stow are greater to Gloucester than to Cheltenham.

"People tell me frequently on the doorstep that they are worried about this. Only a full reopening of the A&E 24/7 will remedy this situation.'

Cotswolds GP, Dr Caroline Bennett, who sits on the NHS Gloucestershire Commissioning Group, said: “The safety of patients across Gloucestershire and the quality of care they receive is of paramount importance to us and I welcome the key findings of this comprehensive report which was reviewed by the Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.”

The report looked at all aspects of the service changes and was produced in partnership with Healthwatch Gloucestershire.

"Dr Bennett added: “It is clear that the changes, introduced on the July 29, 2013, have significantly improved doctor cover at night which helps to ensure that patients receive timely assessment and review when they need emergency care.

"Supervision has also improved and the trust is no longer at risk of losing its trainee doctors.”

She said she recognised that further joint work needs to be carried out to support a reduction in the number of patient diverts and transfers between hospital sites. She added: “In many cases the transfer of a patients to another hospital site, where certain specialist services are located, is entirely appropriate. We remain committed to working with the Hospitals Trust to promote the important ‘walk in’ assessment and treatment services, and the range of care available to patients when referred by a GP, provided at Cheltenham General. As commissioner, we will also continue to work with the Hospitals Trust and the Ambulance Service to monitor how services are working for the benefit of patients.”