MP Paul Goodman is seeking assurances that a proposed review of ambulance services in Thames Valley will not result in cuts.

He said he was concerned that constituents were more "dependant than ever" since recent cuts and closures at Wycombe Hospital.

But prospective Labour party candidate Julia Wassell says she is "not concerned" by the proposals, which health chiefs claim will improve services in the area.

Mr Goodman said: "What's of particular concern is that we've had our maternity services and parts of children's services moved to Stoke Mandeville. A key issue in the move was transport we know ambulance services are going to have to take the strain.

"I have never known a review which ended up with increased money or increased services."

The Department of Health is currently reviewing the future of emergency care in England and has recommended the service should be modernised. As a result Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has asked ambulance trusts in Thames Valley to "examine" opportunities for delivering improvements.

The Authority's chief executive Nick Relph, said the purpose of the review was to see if there is scope to build on current strengths and develop the existing service.

A spokesman for the SHA added: "This is not a downsizing exercise it is a review of how ambulance services fit with the wider unscheduled when patients are not referred by a GP care agenda and the role of their staff in providing care to patients."

Mike Appleyeard, chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council's health scrutiny committee, said: "Any hint of reducing services I would take great exception to. This review is about improving service, although I think the chief executive (Mr Relph) should consider an amalgamated service."

Labour candidate Julia Wassell claimed the news was "probably" a form of "politicking". She added: "It's not a consultation it's a review. Reviews are going on all the time. They are probably looking at the duplication of services, like training, over the three trusts."