Doctors say patients could be put at risk

They say surgery would be moved from Christie to Manchester Royal Infirmary under the plans by Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority.

Health officials say there was a review but no firm plans have been made and patients should not be frightened.

However, Sarah O'Dwyer, Christie's Head of Surgery, fears for patient safety.

"If services were to be removed from this site and complex treatments were to continue, any complications would not be treated by specialists who have the knowledge and skills," she said.

But Neil Goodwin, Chief Executive of the strategic health authority, claimed doctors were scaremongering and said there were no firm proposals for change.

He said the doctors were "jumping the gun" and should get on with their role in the consultation process.