Contrary to press reports last week no firm conclusions have yet been reached about the future configuration of health services for West Lancashire, Liverpool and Sefton. Rosie Cooper MP for West Lancashire last week attended a meeting for MPs with the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority.

There had been various rumours that McKinseys report would be presented to the MPs in which a number of options would be put forward ranging from the possible closure of Ormskirk hospital to the return of services including A&E to Ormskirk Hospital.

Rosie Cooper MP said:

"We met Chris Hannah, the Chief Executive of the Strategic Health Authority on Friday 10th February 2006 to express our concerns about the possibility of hospital trust amalgamations in Liverpool, Sefton and West Lancashire. Chris Hannah pointed out that no firm conclusions have yet been reached but undertook to have further discussions with local MPs prior to any proposals actually being made. She pointed out that all options were still on the table"

“We continue to await the results of the work carried out by McKInseys and the report from the Strategic Health Authority. In the meantime I am continuing to lobby health ministers and hope to present our ‘No to hospital mergers’ petition to the prime minister. I will continue to keep fighting the corner of West Lancashire to ensure that we get the best deal for local people."