Newark Hospital to lose its A&E department

A Nottinghamshire town is to lose its accident and emergency unit, NHS bosses have announced.

After months of argument health managers have decided to replace Newark's A and E Department with a minor injuries unit.

Opposition to the plans had included a 5,000-name petition and human chain around the hospital.

NHS Nottinghamshire County's Board said the changes would improve care for patients.

The authority said the town will receive extra ambulance cover and more out-of-hours GP care.

The consultation on plans to close the department and replace it with a minor injuries unit received more than 700 replies.

Nearly three-quarters of people said they wanted round-the-clock emergency care at the hospital.

Campaigners had said the move would mean patients will have to travel further for treatment, while the NHS said centralising specialist care would improve quality.