"I am delighted that local health chiefs have stepped back from the brink and decided to save each of our hospitals. Quite right too, they should never have been put at such risk. I am convinced that people power has been critical to this decision. The overwhelming public reaction to the threatened closures has changed attitudes towards our Community Hospitals.
I want to thank all those who have made the effort to voice their concerns, from the League of Friends, the GPs and nurses who would be affected, to residents who joined the march, signed a petition, or wrote a letter. It has been a huge effort by the whole community.
But we cannot rest. The devil may be in the detail. Next month more information will be available about what service changes are proposed for the Formal Consultation from May, which the PCT says are expected to focus on:
- the range and efficiency of services provided in Community Hospitals; and
- the location of in-patient care for Secondary Care (Hospital) specialties.
This looks like cuts in services. I remain worried about the Whitcliffe mental health ward.
There is also no word yet on where the substantial savings are going to be made. We must remain vigilant and keep up our campaign to maximise use of our Community Hospitals, not cut them."
