Aylesbury’s Stoke Mandeville Hospital will continue to take the strain after reinstating a full accident and emergency department at Wycombe Hospital was ruled out, despite continued calls from residents.

In October, the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust had no plans to reinstate the service, almost two decades after the department closed.

The trust has since confirmed its position, saying reopening a full A&E would not be clinically or financially viable, amid ongoing demands from people living in and around Wycombe. Currently, patients requiring emergency treatment must travel to Stoke Mandeville, Wexham Park or Oxford hospitals – journeys which can take between 30 and 45 minutes.

The position has also been echoed by Wycombe Emma Reynolds who previously told the LDRS that a full A&E at Wycombe Hospital was not possible. She said: “I know that local people would like to have an A&E at Wycombe hospital, but given the pressures on the NHS, it has been clear for many years that that will not be possible.

A full accident and emergency department is still not on the cards for Wycombe Hospital, despite continued calls from residents.

placeholder image — A full accident and emergency department is still not on the cards for Wycombe Hospital, despite continued calls from residents.

“I will continue to fight to retain services at Wycombe hospital for the people of Wycombe.”

The latest confirmation comes after Buckinghamshire Council approved new redevelopment plans for Wycombe Hospital. A petition calling for the reinstatement of the town’s A&E, launched by councillor Khalil Ahmed, has now gathered nearly 7,000 signatures.

He said: “Since the closure of Wycombe’s A&E in 2005, residents have repeatedly voiced their concerns. Despite this, we have continued to be overlooked.

“While we welcome the recent £20 million investment in Wycombe Hospital, these plans fall short of addressing the town’s most urgent need: emergency care for our residents, right here in Wycombe.”

A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust previously said Wycombe Hospital already provides “outstanding” specialist emergency care for cardiac and stroke patients, as well as housing an intensive care unit and an Urgent Treatment Centre for minor injuries and illnesses.

Redevelopment work is due to begin this month at Wycombe Hospital, with changes to car parking arrangements coming into effect from January 14. Patients and visitors are being advised to allow extra time when attending appointments or visiting the hospital, as the main Car Park B will close for the construction of the new hospital building.

Those attending appointments or visiting patients in buildings marked green or orange are advised to use Car Park A, located at the front of the hospital, or the lower level of Car Park 2, the multi-storey car park opposite the Shelburne Hospital entrance.

Visitors to buildings marked blue or purple should use Car Park A or the Staples (Office Outlet) car park, located to the left of the hospital shortly after the roundabout. The trust said dedicated Blue Badge parking spaces will remain available on site for patients and visitors.