A fight to save the minor injuries units at Doddingham, Wisbech and Ely has won the support of the leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Councillor James Palmer has backed local MP Steve Barclay, who was handed confidential documents suggesting decisions have already been made on the future of the NHS facilities by a secret whistleblower.

Cllr Palmer said: “I am deeply concerned that this report has demonstrated that the promised consultation period involving local communities appears to be just a box ticking exercise.

“It would be very worrying if public opinion was to be completely ignored and health chiefs just ride roughshod over due process.

“These minor injuries units are used by around 30,000 patients every year. They are a valuable resource and the feeling from the general public is that we cannot afford to lose them.”

The confidential report, handed to Mr Barclay last week, sets out the proposals of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

It outlined possible scenarios but confirmed “the only option” was to close all three units.

If closures go ahead, patients will be forced to pay for travel and parking to get to A & E hospitals in Peterborough, Cambridge or elsewhere.

Cllr Palmer said he would be demanding answers from the CCG to establish the facts and find out what their plans were going forwards.

“In light of the leaked document, we need some answers,” he said.