FAIRFIELD General Hospital could lose its accident and emergency department and children's services in a radical shake-up.

The Bury Times has obtained leaked consultation documents which indicate major trauma services could be transferred, leaving Fairfield to deal with "minor fractures" and other lesser injuries.

And the hospital could lose its children's inpatient provision after it was revealed that the children's teacher is to leave.

But chief executive of The Pennine Acute Hospital NHS Trust, Mr Chris Appleby, insisted that no changes would be made without public consultation.

Although he did admit that talks were taking place, he would not specify which services were being discussed. He stressed that no firm proposals had been put forward.

Local health watchdogs believe it is "more certain than ever" that Fairfield General will lose vital services.

Speaking at Monday's meeting of Bury Community Health Council (CHC), chief officer Paul Reynolds said: "Something is happening though it is not known what that is. There is a review taking place, details of which I think they are holding fire on until the new year to announce plans which will rationalise the trust.

"There will be some sites that will be losing services. What will be lost at Fairfield Hospital is anyone's guess. They are playing it close to their chest."

A review of children's services throughout the four hospitals, including Fairfield General, which make up The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, is already under way. The results will be announced sometime next year.

However, a leaked document on "Paediatric Hospital Provision" states that Bury's children's in-service provision could be lost and Fairfield General "might provide observation and assessment services".

Mrs Pat Mason, chairman of Bury CHC, said: "The teacher for the long-term ill children is going."

Mr Reynolds said he believed the teacher was being transferred elsewhere "because in the future there will no children at Fairfield".

Dr Umesh Prabhu, Fairfield General's consultant paediatrician, said: "If there are plans to dismantle such an excellent department, which over the years has provided very good quality care for the children of Bury, then it is a travesty of justice."

He added: "The vast majority of care should be provided as locally as possible, so that the parents need not travel with a sick child."

Mr Appleby admitted a review of children's services was taking place. He said: "I can confirm we are talking with the Primary Care Trusts about ways forward."