A PETITION demanding the government brings doctor-led urgent care services back to Rugby’s Hospital of St Cross has been presented to Parliament by the town’s MP.
John Slinger has handed in the petition – signed by hundreds of constituents – asking the government to work with the NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board to upgrade urgent care provision at the hospital to include a doctor-led service.
The hospital’s Accident and Emergency service was downgraded to an Urgent Care Centre in the late 1990s, when the NHS argued that Rugby was not large enough to provide sufficient opportunities for clinicians to maintain their services.
The town’s growth since then has amplified calls for an improved service.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr Slinger said: “I welcome the investment that has expanded and improved services at the Hospital of St Cross. But my constituents want urgent treatment to improve further and include more doctor-led services.
“I’ve raised this issue with ministers and in the House of Commons. Locally, I’ve convened roundtables with stakeholders, including community health organisations, councillors, and campaigners to ensure their voices are heard by local health leaders.
“I have asked these leaders when their review of urgent emergency care will conclude.
“Now, I expect local health leaders to take note and, more importantly, take action.
“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the government to work with NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board to ensure that urgent care provision at the Hospital of St Cross is retained and enhanced, to include a doctor-led urgent care service.”
Government investment has helped to reduce waiting lists at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust by 3,632 since the general election in 2024 – despite record demand for services in 2025.
And ambulances in Warwickshire are responding to Category 2 incidents like heart attacks and strokes in 25 minutes on average – down from 39 minutes last year.
Mr Slinger said he would continue pushing for improvements with the government in Westminster, local health leaders, local campaign groups and citizens.
