Councillors believe no 24/7 A&E would be ‘concerning’

Plans to not reopen Weston’s A&E department have been criticised by North Somerset councillors.

Health bosses prefer a medically-led service which would operate from 8am-10pm seven days per week.

Labour leader Richard Tucker said: “It’s an ongoing issue, for a town this size to not have 24/7 A&E is very concerning.

“This highlights the impact of Government cuts, budget issues and recruitment problems.”

Liberal Democrats leader Mike Bell said: “People have been betrayed, before the last general election we were told there were no plans to close A&E, this was false.

“We were promised the overnight closure was temporary and our views and the opinion of health professionals would be listened to, but nothing has changed.”

MORE: Decision on a 24/7 A&E ‘not a done deal’.

Cllr Roz Willis, chairman of the council’s health panel, revealed councillors have faced ‘cyber-bullying’ amid confusion over the authority’s role in the plan.

She said: “I would like to make it very clear it is not this council’s decision to close or open A&E at the hospital – it is the CCG’s.

“We’ve received a huge amount of engagement. We won’t accept a downgrade of the hospital.”

Leader Nigel Ashton added: “Last month we wrote to the Health Secretary to say we didn’t support the proposals.”

MORE: Weston General will become a ‘21st century service’.