NE Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay will meet officials in the House of Commons today (Monday) to discuss the future of outpatient services at the Princess of Wales Hospital.

Mr Barclay will welcome Maureen Connelly, chairman of the Cambridgeshire Clinical Commissioner Group, to Parliament to discuss plans to appoint a new provider for outpatient services at the hospital, in Ely.

The move comes just a week after the Ely Standard revealed that Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which oversees the outpatient department at the hospital, had handed in notice to quit.

The move, announced last Wednesday, sparked fears among staff and patients that, as a result, the hospital would no longer provide the facilities but the trust, together with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group has insisted that a new provider will be found and that commitment to the hospital remains.

The trust said its decision to withdraw from the contract was motivated by a belief that other organisations would be better placed to run the outpatient services.

The trust will serve a 12-month notice period, during which the commissioning group will begin the search for a new provider, which will take over next year.

Mr Barclay said: “I understand why the trust feels it may be more appropriate for these services to be provided by another organisation such as a hospital. But I am concerned that they continue at these local hospitals and that the trust’s decision does not result in a loss of services.

“Being able to access clinics closer to home is vital for residents in this area where public transport is not always available and the long distances to hospitals.

“I will also be seeking assurances about the future of staff employment and that they are fully supported during the changes.”