THE trust which runs Fairfield General Hospital has dismissed ‘rumours’ that the A&E will be downgraded.

Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust says there are no plans for changes after another national newspaper article stated the department faces closure or being downgraded.

It follows publication of the original list back in February of 24 A&E units facing closure across England.

A spokesman said: “Recent rumours of changing the status of the A&E Department at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury are false.

“There are no plans to downgrade the service. It will continue to provide emergency service 24/7.”