DOCTORS and nurses have voted in favour of centralising hospital services at Lister. More than 116 members of staff from Lister, the QEII and Hertford County hospitals took part in a questionnaire. A total of 61 people voted in favour of Lister and 44 for

DOCTORS and nurses have voted in favour of centralising hospital services at Lister.

More than 116 members of staff from Lister, the QEII and Hertford County hospitals took part in a questionnaire.

A total of 61 people voted in favour of Lister and 44 for the QEII. Another 11 were undecided.

The questionnaire formed part of an internal two-month consultation.

Between December 2006 and January 2007, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust held 30 meetings for members of staff. Nick Carver, chief executive of the Trust, said: "What this has emphasised is that many of our staff share the same view with us that if we are going to provide the best possible care we cannot stay the way we are."

They agreed that if the Trust was to continue to deliver safe, high quality care that is sustainable then services would need to be centralised on one site.

Mr Carver added: "Without a doubt, centralising clinical services will help us to balance our finances, but this should not be the only factor in determining the future provision of acute hospital services for the people of east and north Hertfordshire."

Mr Carver stressed that the Trust would not be making its recommendation until February. If its decision is approved by the East and North Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust, then the plan will be opened up to public consultation in March. A final decision could be made by September.