26 October 2011 Last updated at 12:03 ET

NHS Gloucestershire judicial review a step closer

A Stroud resident has been granted the chance for a legal battle against NHS Gloucestershire's decision to change the way health services are run.

Lawyers for Michael Lloyd, 75, launched judicial proceedings against NHS plans to hand over management of county hospitals and various health services.

A court hearing will now decide whether a judicial review can take place.

NHS Gloucestershire has agreed not to sign the paperwork to make the transfer happen, pending the hearing's outcome.

A social enterprise was due to take over management of various health services from the beginning of October.

'Put pressure'

Speaking on behalf of Mr Lloyd, a spokesman for Leigh Day and Co Solicitors said: "Our client believes the proposed transfer would be highly detrimental to the NHS services which he and other Gloucestershire residents receive."

James Beecher, from campaign group Stroud Against the Cuts, said: "The legal case alone cannot save our local NHS services - we encourage people to join the campaign and put pressure on managers to keep these services in the NHS.

"Unless we act now we believe that in three years time these services will be taken over by a multinational healthcare company."

Chief executive of NHS Gloucestershire, Jan Stubbings, said that both parties had made a joint application to the court for an early hearing to resolve matters as quickly as possible.

"Concluding the arrangements for the transfer is in the interests of patients and staff and will ensure service continuity and stability," she said.