A weekly editor has led a delegation to Whitehall as the latest step in an eight-year battle to save local hospital services.

The Bucks Free Press has been campaigning to stop key services being transferred from Wycombe Hospital to Aylesbury.

Last week editor Steve Cohen led a campaign delegation from Wycombe, which also included local MPs and councillors, to meet Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Following a 30-minute meeting, Mr Lansley agreed to instruct a senior health official to check whether the correct consultation procedures had been carried out in relation to the plans.

Bucks Free Press editor Steve Cohen, left, meets health secretary Andrew Lansley.

Mr Lansley refused to send one of his own civil servants to carry out the probe, saying he couldn’t be seen interfering in local matters.

But, after representations from the newspaper, he agreed to instruct a senior official from the Strategic Health Authority to do the work.

After the meeting, Steve said: “Mr Lansley was very receptive and listened in some detail. He kept fairly neutral throughout but seemed keen to do the right thing for all concerned.

“It was slightly daunting addressing the Health Secretary on such a complex NHS issue but it all seemed to go well.”

Wycombe MP Steve Baker, who arranged the meeting, added: “He agreed to meet what we asked for. I am very grateful to the committee for all the time and effort they put in and for being so thoughtful and measured.”