Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly is stepping up his campaign to protect services at Hinchingbrooke Hospital and ensure the public are kept informed about possible plans for a merger.

Mr Djanogly met with Hinchingbrooke chairman, Alan Burns, and Rob Hughes, chairman of the Peterborough and Stamford Hospital’s Trust on March 18 to discuss the current proposals.

The MP told The Hunts Post that a merger between the two trusts was “still very much on the table” and that he remains opposed to it.

“As it is clear that the two boards are still forging ahead with their plans, we are now considering the next step to keep up the pressure and make sure the strength of local feeling is recognised. We are looking at organising a march through the town centre and are currently liaising with the police.”

At Friday’s meeting, Mr Djanogly managed to obtain an agreement from Mr Burns and Mr Hughes that the Memorandum of Understanding, which both parties signed in December 2015, would be made public.

“I am pleased that the document is no longer being kept from the public, but remain concerned that the two boards will not commit to full public consultation on their merger proposals,” he said.

Mr Djanogly wrote to health watchdog, Monitor, and health secretary Jeremy Hunt to request that the details contained in the memorandum be made public.

Mr Burns told last week’s Healthwatch meeting that comments around the issue had been “unhelpful” and told the panel there was “no secret report” but not all the parties who had signed the memorandum had agreed to it being made public. He also confirmed his earlier promise to The Hunts Post to “engage” with the public over future plans concerning a possible merger, but made clear this will not be a formal public consultation.

“We promise to engage with the public in the best way we can,” he said.

Mr Djanogly has also urged the public to sign his petition, which now has 3,166 signatures, to protect clinical services at Hinchingbrooke and oppose a merger with Peterborough. It can be found at www.jonathandjanogly.com/hospital_petition