"I am delighted that the PCT has finally brought to an end the uncertainty surrounding our community hospitals in South Shropshire.
Bishop's Castle
In Bishop's Castle the threat of closure has been lifted. This is very welcome. The PCT is no longer looking to extract savings from the hospital but has accepted the need for some investment to refurbish the buildings.
While I know some had pinned their hopes on a major investment by Coverage Care to convert the hospital into a nursing home, this had been on the premiss that there was no future for the hospital. This proposal had been controversial and has now been dropped.
Ludlow
I am very pleased that the PCT has now backed the decision of South Shropshire District Council and the League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital to move forward with exploring exciting plans to bring together all healthcare services in Ludlow with a potential major re-development of the hospital. The threat overhanging the Clee ward and beds at the hospital has been lifted while this plan is explored.
I have explained to the responsible Minister at the Department of Health that this innovative proposal for a partnership between the PCT, other providers including the town's GPs, and local authorities and voluntary groups, is exactly the kind of project which the Government should be supporting in looking to bring healthcare provision closer to communities.
The staff, patients and local community have had almost two years of doubt about the future of our local hospitals. I hope that they can now take considerable comfort from this week's decisions and concentrate once more on providing such excellent care to our communities."
