11 Buxton outpatient services saved for now as Stockport NHS says consultation is needed

In late 2025 the Trust announced its intentions to relocate 11 clinics to Stepping Hill Hospital.

This would have seen ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, rheumatology, gynaecology, urology, respiratory care, surgical, diabetes and the pain clinic all moved miles away from High Peak patients.

This caused a major public outcry and the relocation was pushed back to the end of June.

However, in this time High Peak Borough Councillors all voted against losing these services and High Peak MP John Pearce presented the Trust with a 2,000 strong petition from residents who also objected.

The Buxton Advertiser went to the Trust for an update on June 9 asking what would be happening at the end of the month and were told they were ‘unable to provide an update at present’.

Now the Trust has issued a response and a spokesperson from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, Stockport Foundation NHS Trust and NHS England continue to hold constructive conversations regarding outpatient service delivery to the residents of Buxton.

“The priority within these discussions is patient safety and sustainability of services.

“It is important to remind people that any permanent change to services would require engagement with patients and other stakeholders to understand potential impacts on access and inform future service options for consideration through appropriate scrutiny processes.

“We are committed to this approach, which will inform any future decision‑making.

“In the meantime, we continue to work closely together on behalf of our people and patients.”

This means that nothing can happen to the services without a full patient consultation.

Jon Pearce said: “I have been working tirelessly to force Stockport to reconsider. I have lost count of how many meetings I have had with the Stockport Trust, Derby and Derbyshire ICB, Greater

Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, and have raised this issue several times with health ministers.

“We were able to effectively make the case that these plans could not go ahead.

“I still cannot believe that Stockport had planned for this to happen with no Equality and Impact Assessment ever produced or any consideration for affected patients across High Peak.

“The thousands of High Peak residents who signed my petition, raised this issue and written to me their support has shown what we can achieve together and how strongly residents feel about the importance of keeping these vital services in Buxton.”

He continued and said: “I welcome there will be a full opportunity for a proper and necessary assessment to take place to properly account for health outcomes and not just financial implications.

“None of the proposed pauses ever allowed for this to happen and I am pleased that now the consultation can take place.

“This battle may be over, but it will be a long process, and I will continue to work closely with Stockport and the Derbyshire ICB to ensure we reach the best possible outcome for

residents in Buxton and across High Peak, and that essential services continue to be provided in our communities to meet local needs.”