Stafford hospital chiefs rebut early surgery closure claim
Stafford Hospital supporters say acute surgery at County Hospital has been stopped six days ahead of schedule - but the claim has been rebutted by the hospital trust.
Acute surgery at the hospital in Stafford is due to end on Monday, but campaign supporters claim beds have already been shut to new patients.
Support Stafford Hospital co-founder Cheryl Porter said: "The date for downgrading our accident and emergency services is February 9 not this week."
But the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has rebutted the claim.
Medical director Robert Courteney-Harris said: "Acute surgery will continue at County Hospital this week and surgical inpatients will start to transfer to the new emergency surgery ward on Friday, this will be completed by Monday."
