WYTHENSHAWE Hospital is in the running to become one of four new ‘super hospitals’ as part of a massive shake-up of healthcare in Greater Manchester.

But commentators have sounded a note of caution over the deal – with services at University Hospital South Manchester in Wythenshawe likely to be reduced if it misses out when the decision is made next month.

Salford Royal, Central Manchester Hospitals and Royal Oldham have already been earmarked as future ‘super hospitals’ under the plans – introduced under the Healthier Together proposals and following plans to devolve the NHS in Manchester.

UHSM Wythensahwe, Stockport Stepping Hill, Wigan and Bolton are being considered as the fourth.

Hospitals not among the four will focus on planned procedures and will lose facilities to accommodate emergency, high-risk surgery.

MP for Stretford and Urmston, Kate Green said: “This news is concerning for local people, who will want to understand how it means they'll see an improvement in their care.

“If clinicians and NHS managers think this is the best way to deliver care, they need to explain exactly how the changes will benefit patients.”

Urmston Councillor Joanne Harding, a member of the joint health scrutiny committee, added: “We have already lost vital services at Trafford General Hospital, after the closure of A&E, intensive care and paediatric observation unit.

“Local people are already waiting longer and travelling further for treatment, or being kept in hospital beds because of the lack of services available in the community.

“I shall be requesting an urgent meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee as we need to understand what these changes will mean for Trafford patients.”

The ‘super hospitals’ decision, taken by GPs from each clinical commissioning group in Greater Manchester, follows plans to introduce seven day GP access across the region.

Chris Brookes, medical director for Healthier Together said: “We estimate that with these changes there will be about 300 fewer deaths each year after general surgery.

“Implementing four single services is the best option to ensure we start improving care and saving more lives as quickly as possible, which as a doctor, is my number one priority.”