Fears are mounting over the future of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and the James Paget in Gorleston, after this newspaper revealed both could be downgraded under options being drawn up by hospital bosses.

Both are understood to be at risk of losing their A&E, intensive care and maternity services as the county’s hospital group weighs up centralising services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the third hospital it runs.

A Clinical Advisory Group made up of medical professionals across the three sites is currently analysing different options for the future of healthcare at the hospitals.

The entrance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Documents seen by this paper show bosses are modelling three preliminary options for emergency care, two of which would downgrade A&E at both the QEH and the Paget.

Under the most drastic, both would lose their emergency departments and intensive care units.

While maternity services are not mentioned directly in the papers, it is understood that this provision is also facing potential downgrades.

Bernard Brett, the chair of the Clinical Advisory Group, told the BBC on Tuesday that both sites should retain 24/7 emergency care.

However the continued uncertainty has caused significant concern in west Norfolk and the Great Yarmouth area, with many fearing the possibility of long travel times to receive care.

The Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group has said no decisions have been made and that no preferred option has been identified.

Around 500 people attended a protest in King's Lynn this month to protest about the downgrade talks (Image: Chris Bishop)

While the potential loss of A&E has sparked the loudest public reaction, including a 500-strong protest in King’s Lynn at the weekend, local leaders and campaigners have also raised concerns........

© Norwich Evening News