LEGAL action could be taken in a bid to prevent Cheltenham's Accident and Emergency Department from closing down overnight.

Health bosses unanimously voted to close the A&E department at Cheltenham General Hospital between the hours of 8pm and 8am at a meeting on Thursday, July 18.

NHS chiefs say the closure, which will see patients diverted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital instead, is necessary to maintain high standards of care.

But the service changes have encountered a wave of opposition, with thousands of people signing petitions against the downgrade and anti-cuts protestors from Stroud and Cheltenham's MP Martin Horwood denouncing the move.

Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, which has also voiced objections to the closure, is now considering seeking a judicial review to challenge the decision taken by the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (GCCG).

The chamber's chief executive Michael Ratcliffe, said: "We are most concerned that this could be the thin end of the wedge and that this proposed diversion of emergency ambulances will lead to the gradual reduction of the A&E services at Cheltenham General Hospital."

Beginning next month, all 'blue-light' out-of-hours emergency cases will now be dealt with in Gloucester.

Medical staff at Cheltenham General will continue to treat the walking wounded, but critically-ill patients and 999 calls will be directed to Gloucestershire Royal.

Stroud MP Neil Carmichael, said: "We have to bear in mind that Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General are part of the same Trust and that they are having to maximise the allocation of resources."

"What's really important is that we have a high quality service for people who need accident and emergency treatment."

However, James Beecher of Stroud Against The Cuts criticised the shift to centralising services.

"It should not have to be necessary that only the threat of legal proceedings will make health bosses think plans through and engage with the public," he said.

"These plans are the result of under-funding the NHS, and will entail poorer services and possibly even avoidable fatalities."

At the meeting last week the chairman of GCCG Dr Helen Miller, said a huge shortage of A&E consultants meant it was unsafe for the service to continue as it was.

In a statement released afterwards, she added: "In terms of emergency care, there is recognition that the service change proposals, developed by clinicians, are designed to ensure early senior assessment and decision making when patients arrive at hospital and more robust senior medical cover, round the clock."