STAFF at Fairfield Hospital's neo-natal unit got the chance to voice their concerns to David Chaytor MP over potential changes to the service.

Mr Chaytor was invited to the special care baby unit last week, a day before the Bury Times revealed that controversial proposals were on the cards to transfer obstetrics and neo-natal care to other hospitals within the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

While a leaked document outlined specialised maternity care could be axed, Chris Appleby, chief executive of the trust , confirmed that gynaecology would be reduced from a seven-day to five-day operation. However, he stressed that the other changes remained "options".

Mr Chaytor's visit was prompted by similar rumours about neo-natal care and he wanted to speak to staff in the department to discuss their fears.

Manager of the neo-natal unit, Sister Jackie Blease, said: "There have been a number of letters in the Bury Times from members of the public about the uncertainty of the unit. Although no formal decision has been taken yet, people believe it should remain as it is, and have started to voice their views."

At the moment there are four neo-natal units within the trust, which incorporates Fairfield, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester hospitals, but services could be reduced to two units.

The proposals are expected to be outlined by the end of March and should go out to public consultation after summer, with a final decision made by December.

Sister Blease said: "We feel very strongly about maintaining services here and historically this unit has been very successful. The staff are absolutely passionate about keeping their unit open and will fight as best they can."

She said Mr Chaytor stayed for around two hours, during which he took a tour of the unit and saw some very tiny, sick babies.

He was told about the Fairfield Baby Lifeline charity which has been running since the 1970s, almost as long as the unit itself.

Sister Blease added: "It was very nice meeting Mr Chaytor. He did not show any strong feelings about how successful we would be in our fight but he did recognise that the NHS could not stay as it is."