Health bosses have been told they have let Aylsham down and lost its trust after scaling back health services in the town.Geraldine Lee, a town councillor, said she was speaking 'for the people of Aylsham' when she condemned the behaviour of NHS Norfolk at its board meeting.

HEALTH bosses have been told they have let Aylsham down and lost its trust after scaling back health services in the town.

Geraldine Lee, a town councillor, said she was speaking "for the people of Aylsham" when she condemned the behaviour of NHS Norfolk at its board meeting.

St Michael's Hospital in Aylsham is being closed by the health trust, which runs community hospitals as well as GPs and health services. And the future of respite services for adults with learning difficulties is under threat as part of plans to close the residential home for people with learning difficulties at 1 Mill Close, which puts the adult respite services at 3 Mill Close under threat.

At this week's board meeting, Mrs Lee said: "We had a district hospital on our doorstep. Since then there has been a downward spiral of interest from this PCT in our town and its facilities. Now you have decided to remove the respite care in Mill Close - we discovered this through the newspaper.

"Your governance is not well regarded by the people of Aylsham. We need to know if you are intending to move ahead with this closure of two units of Mill Close. What do you intend to do to restore your reputation among the good people of Aylsham?"

David Stonehouse, deputy chief executive of NHS Norfolk, said: "There hasn't been a decision to close that facility. It is currently being reviewed by the learning difficulty partnership board as part of the campus closure programme to see whether that service remains viable. The commitment of this PCT is that the service will still be provided."

Maureen Carson, director of women's and children's commissioning, said the children's respite unit was not at risk, and its opening hours had been restored after staff shortages made it necessary to cut them back.