Formby residents are urged to sign the petition to save Southport's A&E

Formby and Southport residents are being urged to sign a petition to save the A&E unit at Southport hospital.

Lib Dem councillors have issued a re-appeal for residents to sign the petition - which was launched in November - after a national newspaper this week warned Southport's A&E could be closed for good.

Councillor McGuire, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, has voiced her concerns. She said: "This is the second time a plan has been hatched to downgrade Southport A&E, lacking a permanent Chief Executive there is no-one but the public and the staff to fight its corner."

"We are concerned that any downgrading or move to a unit specifically for "frail & elderly" would not be appropriate and would leave any resident who was not "frail and elderly" without easy access to an A&E unit."

"Any review should consider the conditions that people present with at A&E and not be decided purely on the demographics of the area. A seaside town the size of Southport needs a fully functioning A&E unit."

Therese Patten, Chief Operating Officer at Southport & Ormskirk hospitals trust, said: “The Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Cheshire and Merseyside aims to set out how the health and care system can remain fit for the future and respond successfully to the growing demands that are being placed on it.

“Published in October 2016, the plan represents the thoughts and ambitions of more than 30 different organisations serving a population of more than 21⁄2 million people. The plan is being further revised.

“It signals areas that may need to conduct reviews of some care services and to assess whether there are clinical or sustainability issues to address."

“Any proposals, especially in respect of changes to A&E, would need a strong clinical evidence base as well as benefiting our patients in terms of quality and safety. They would also need to be sustainable and require public engagement and statutory consultation.”

To sign the petition, Click here: www.southportsays.co.uk