WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has reiterated fears that essential health services in the town could be axed after NHS bosses refused to give details of planned shake-ups.

Concerns have been expressed by Mrs Jones over the NHS’ sustainability and transformation plans, with the MP earlier accusing health officials of being ‘up to no good’.

She now says that NHS England has refused to release details of what the plans will mean for Warrington after she submitted a Freedom of Information request to the organisation.

Mrs Jones said: “A brick wall seems to have been erected around the plans for Warrington.

“My Freedom of Information request to NHS England asking for details of their discussions with trusts and their meetings on this matter has been refused on the grounds of cost.

“It would appear that they are hiding behind every bureaucratic trick in the book and are putting every obstacle possible in the way of disclosing what their plans are.”

Mrs Jones feared that primary care services and provisions for trauma and strokes could be among those facing the chop.

She added: “It is clear from a letter I have seen that the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside are looking at specific services such as strokes, primary care and trauma.

“Alarm bells start to ring when both Cheshire and Merseyside NHS and NHS England are being so deliberately secretive.

“I remain fearful that there could be plans to close essential services in Warrington, that the decision is being made behind closed doors and that it will be presented as a fait accompli with little time allowed for public consultation.

“It’s time for them to come clean and let us all know what they have planned in this review for our services here in Warrington.”