Changes to how stroke patients are treated in the borough may cost lives, claim Conservative councillors.

But Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust (PCT) who are spear heading the pilot say the opposite is true.

As of January 28 patients who suffer a stroke outside of St Helier Hospital's 8.30 am to 4.30 pm opening hours and require acute care will be transported by ambulance to St Georges' Hospital in Tooting.

Hopes are the new scheme will allow patients extended access to life saving drugs and CT scans, something they would not have previously received.

Dr Marytn Wake, a local GP and Joint Medical Director of Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust said the changes could bring colosseul improvements, especially to the 10 to 15 per cent of patients who require the greatest medical attention.

"We are taking part in this scheme as it will save lives and help people to recover from stroke.

"St George's is one of the few hospitals in the country to offer a 24-hour specialist stroke service with CT scanning and clot-busting thrombolysis drugs.

"By ensuring patients are treated here when specialist facilities are not provided in local hospitals, we can save lives and aid recovery."

He added that while 24 hour acute care at St Helier may be an ideal it was not viable and a long term look towards a network of care was a better option.

The PCT estimate most patients will continue care at St Helier with around five patients being seen at St Georges.

But local Conservatives have slammed the PCT for lack of transparency after the move was only revealed to Sutton Council's Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee this week.

The committee's chairman Councillor Stuart Gordon-Bullock called it a debacle and Conservative leader Paul Scully said the situation was unacceptable.

"This could be a matter of life or death for a stroke victim at the peak of rush hour," he added. "The message is clear - don't have a stroke out of office hours or at the weekend."

The pilot runs until July 28, after which result will be published.