Cuts which will affect stroke rehabilitation care at Whipps Cross Hospital are being considered, according to health campaigners.

Retired nurse, Jim Fagan, of the ‘We are Waltham Forest: Saving our NHS’ campaign group, says he has been approached by concerned staff at Whipps about plans to shake up stroke care across three hospitals.

According to Mr Fagan, an internal NHS consultation is under way into proposals to reduce the number of stroke rehabilitation beds at Whipps, Newham and Mile End hospitals.

He says 31 nursing jobs are threatened by the proposals and that at Whipps, seven out of the 12 beds set aside for stroke rehabilitation could be axed.

Mr Fagan claims a dedicated stroke recovery gym at Whipps is also under threat as part of a plan which would see acute stroke and rehabilitation wards at the hospital merged.

He said: “I am aware of both staff and patients who are concerned about this.

“We know a consultation is going on, but we feel very strongly that it should be a public one because these changes would have a negative impact on the care and service which local people receive.

“We are fearful that it is part of an agenda to gradually run down the range of services  provided at Whipps Cross for financial reasons.”

Currently, many patients admitted to the hyper acute stroke unit at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel are transferred back to Whipps to recover.

Mr Fagan said: “This is hugely important for local people as being near to friends and family is an important part of stroke recovery.

“We will be pressing for this consultation to be made public and starting a petition opposing the plans.

“We have real concerns that these proposals will result in patients being returned home too soon.”

A spokeswoman for Barts Health NHS Trust said: "The small reduction in the number of beds at Whipps Cross University Hospital does not in any way equate to a reduction in clinical care but, instead reflects best clinical practice.

"Stroke patients at Barts Health NHS Trust, whose clinicians were recently named the best in London for stroke care, benefit from an early discharge plan allowing some – where appropriate - to go home early and undergo a programme of structured rehabilitation in the comfort of their own home."

We are Waltham Forest: Saving our NHS will hold a meeting to discuss the issue in Harmony Hall, Truro Road, Walthamstow,  on June 3, at 7.30pm.