“Today’s press stories about the future of the A&E and Maternity Departments at the George Eliot Hospital deeply concern us.

We must acknowledge that at this stage that the plan referred to has not been published. We firmly believe that senior local health executives must publish the documents being referred to in the press without further delay. We are also aware that the any draft proposals have not been endorsed by NHS England or The Department for Health.

However, we can assure residents, staff and patients that we will do everything in our power to ensure the future of the services at our local Hospital. We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the responsible Minister at the Department for Health.

The reported ‘leak’ comes from the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for the Coventry and Warwickshire area. This plan would be a five year proposal which is being worked on by NHS England and local partners to go hand in hand with the NHS Five Year Forward Plan to provide the best possible health services and sustainability for the future. It has been reported that A&E, Maternity and Child Services currently at the Eliot would be moved to an expanded A&E in Coventry and to University Hospital in Coventry and Warwickshire.

We do not believe that this approach would be practicable or in the best interests of patients in Nuneaton or North Warwickshire.If these proposals were pursued, this would do great damage to the George Eliot Hospital and the fantastic service it provides to our community. We will vigorously fight any plans that may be brought forward.

Financial strains continue to be an issue for our Health Service and demand for services continue to grow as we become more successful in supporting people to live longer. The Government has pledged an increase of £10 billion to 2020 in line with the NHS’s own Five Year Forward Plan, as we support our Health Services and want to see its needs are met.

We want to see this document published immediately to clarify the official position of local healthcare chiefs. The public can be assured that we will both be working with local people and interest groups to get the best deal for our local hospital.

It is important to note than any proposals that are published in the STP will need to be fully consulted on by local people and interest groups.”