Hundreds pack public meetings over Stafford and Cannock hospitals

Under-threat maternity, paediatric and critical care services were all raised by members of the public at the Staffordshire County Showground meeting, attended by 200 people.

They shouted and jeered at the trust special administrators who have drawn up proposals to strip services from Stafford throughout the meeting, with many complaining their questions were not being answered due to time constraints.

If approved, the plans would see the hospital's maternity unit close and children requiring in-patient care would be transferred elsewhere, while critical care would be downgraded.

Single mother-of-two Tracie Bell said downgrading paediatric services at the hospital would cause her 'significant financial hardship'.

"I want to know what plans the administrators are putting in place for the financial impact these plans will have on people like me," said Ms Bell.

Administrator Alan Bloom said plans were being looked at by the Health and Equality Impact Assessment Group.

"They are looking at our proposals in terms of access, transport costs, as well as all other aspects associated with the Equality Act and social deprivation," said Mr Bloom.