THE campaign to safeguard burns care in Merseyside was won last night.

Units at Whiston and Alder Hey hospitals were put under threat by a proposal to create “supra” centres in Manchester and Wakefield. But a statement released by the Strategic Health Authority concluded there was no “compelling evidence” the planned change would improve care.

Health secretary Andy Burnham said the announcement “drew a line under” the debate and took the proposal off the agenda.

Knowsley South MP Eddie O’Hara said: “We have shown the strength of feeling in Merseyside and how much we care about our burns services.”

The SHA statement does add there is a chance the issue could come up again, if clinicians can prove the supra units would improve the care of severely burnt patients. Mr Burnham said: “I am aware of the strong feelings in Merseyside about the future of burns services. This statement draws a line under the recent debate and takes these proposals off the agenda.”