Weston General Hospital will remain 'vital'

She was speaking as part of the CCG’s appeal for people to air their opinions over plans to revolutionise local healthcare.

The most striking proposal would see overnight emergency patients transported by paramedics to hospitals in Bristol or Taunton in future.

However, more non-complex operations would be carried out in Weston meaning people in the north of the district may face fewer trips to Bristol for procedures in future.

The CCG says the changes are being proposed to ensure Weston’s hospital survives.

Its spokesman said:

“Weston General Hospital plays an important role in the emergency and urgent care network. However, in common with hospitals throughout the region and nationally, services at Weston face increasing demand from a growing and ageing population.

To add to this, as the smallest acute hospital trust in England, Weston is struggling to keep up with growing demand for services and faces particular challenges in being able to recruit and retain doctors in certain specialties.”

Dr Backhouse urged people to give feedback, adding: “Weston General Hospital is a crucial part of the local NHS but it faces particular challenges because of its size.

“We want people to come to our public engagement events so we can hear their views and listen to their experiences of services at Weston General Hospital.”

A public engagement event will be held in Clevedon at St Andrew’s Church Centre in Old Church Road from 7-9pm on March 29.