It has been 20 years since this newspaper launched its campaign “Save Wycombe Hospital” to safeguard NHS services in our town.
At the time, we were campaigning against the removal of 24/7 minor injury care and were successful in managing to retain the services.
But gradually over the last two decades, an increasing number of services have been removed - including, famously, its A&E.
While it remains a renowned stroke and heart specialist facility, there is no doubt the NHS hospital is a shadow of its former self.
This week we wanted to dedicate this column to finding out how you - our valued reader - feels about the state of NHS services in Wycombe and the south Bucks area.
What has your experience of frontline care been in the community? Are you happy with the services provided at Wycombe Hospital?
The removal of the accident and emergency department is one of the biggest issues cited by residents - and one of the things people in Wycombe would most like back.
And it’s not hard to see why. High Wycombe is a major town with an ever-growing urban population, now of around 140,000 at the last census (2021). The nearest A&E units are at Wexham in Slough and Stoke Mandeville Hospital, both of which are a decent drive from the heart of Wycombe.
Former MP Steve Baker poured cold water on the idea of any revival of the return of A&E to Wycombe back in February, saying that ‘modern medicine means a full A&E in Wycombe is just not possible’ and that it would be ‘misleading to suggest otherwise’.
But we want to hear what you think. Does Wycombe need an A&E department in your view? What services could be improved or what is working well?
Write to the editor Katie French at Bucks Free Press, Station Road, Loudwater, HP postcode or email Katie.french@newsquest.co.uk
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