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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here