Health services will be put under pressure as more homes are built making it vital for hospitals at Doddington and Wisbech to stay open, says the leader of Fenland District Council.

In a letter to health commissioners councillor John Clark said: “This is a hugely important issue for Fenland residents and councillors.

“It is important for the Cambridgeshire Clinical Commissioning Group to provide assurance that future services resulting from the review are adequate to meet the increased demands caused by considerable planned development through the district.

He said it was important for the CCG to engage with people in the Fens and tell them what is being done to “mitigate against any adverse impacts on local people that they might have.”

Mr Clark’s letter was sent to Tracey Dowling, chief operating officer, and Jessica Bawden, director of corporate affairs at the CCG, and asks for a break down of services provided so that the minor injuries units work can be put into the context of the wider work undertaken.

He said: “We think that explaining in details the context around why the CCG is seeking change in the way the services are delivered is really important.

“The CCG meed to outline as soon as possible how the new MIU related service offer will be provided in the future if or when it is decided that this will not be from within Doddington Hospital and the North Cambs Hospital.”

He wants to make sure any future service is consistent across the district

“We understand that whilst the CCG has some very significant financial challenges ahead of it we are informed that the objective behind the review into MIU provision is to find a cost efficient alternative in delivering this service and not an outcome that seeks to cease the services currently provided.”

“Clearly the devil will be in the detail of what is finally proposed and we are all keen to better understand that as soon as possible.”