Cost-cutting proposals by West Hertfordshire Health Authority could result in a 'beds famine' if given the go-ahead, say UNISON.

The health union is calling for urgent action, following detailed research it has done in response to the health authority's consultation document -- Choosing the Right Direction.

Considering the future of health services in West Herts, the document details two options for reducing the areas deficit and updating facilities. The first would mean closure of acute services in either Watford or Hemel Hempstead, as well as reducing community services. Under the second option both would close and one new acute hospital would be established in West Hertfordshire.

Either option, according to UNISON, would involve a cut of up to 40 per cent of emergency beds for West Herts residents.

Outraged at the proposals, UNISON regional officer Kumar Sandy said: "Patient waiting lists will rocket and the lucky ones will have to travel miles outside the region to get the treatment they need. The health authority thinks this is an acceptable price to pay to balance the books."

Facts and figures have been distorted, say the health authority, as the reduction will be confined to 19 per cent over a period of between five and seven years. There will also be 30 per cent more community hospital beds and enhanced community facilities.

A decision on the changes will be reached by the end of the month.

Ten thousand signatories recently joined UNISON in petitioning the health authority. Mr Sandy said: "What UNISON wants to see is a patient-centred model of service for West Herts based on a continuation of services at all four existing sites ensuring the broadest possible range of access for local people to local hospitals."

However, the health authority claims up to 25 per cent of patients already use facilities outside the area, and many patients who are wrongly given acute beds would benefit from community care.

A health authority spokesperson said: "Waiting lists are a key objective for us and ours are slowly coming down. We have developed new models of services which have been piloted and are working. The time has come to build a whole model of care around some of these new treatments and developments. Hospitals are not closing, but changing."

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