THE future of Malton Hospital is to be debated in the Commons after Ryedale MP John Greenway stepped in.

From Monday general anaesthetic operations will end at the hospital due to an acute shortage of consultant anaesthetists.

Patients will have to travel to Scarborough for vital operations, and there are fears the District Hospital will not cope with the increased demand on services.

Mr Greenway said he was concerned that inadequate arrangements had been made following the decision. He said he would push for answers over whether replacement anaesthetists were being found to fill the vacant posts. He said: "I want the Minister to confirm what is being done to recruit additional anaesthetists and to make it more attractive to come to places like Scarborough.

"I also want a reassurance that as and when the vacant posts are filled, operations at Malton can be resumed."

Mr Greenway said: "We need a full public consultation about the future of the hospital and its role as a community resource before any decision is taken to cease general anaesthetic operations at Malton on a permanent basis."

Julie Lowe, director of operations for the Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, said: "We do not have sufficient anaesthetists to provide the level of care modern standards require, and that is why general anaesthetic operations will stop at Malton from April 1.

"But we have not closed the door forever. If the situation does improve and we are able to increase the number of our anaesthetists then we will look into the possibilities at Malton."

Mrs Lowe said the trust had been asked to provide a briefing on the situation ahead of the debate, which is scheduled for Monday, April 15.

Updated: 10:20 Saturday, March 30, 2002