Savernake Hospital.
Grafton Parish Council are very concerned about the closure of the Minor Injuries Unit and Mental Health Unit at Savernake Hospital. One of our Coucillors tried to attend two meetings about this in Marlborough. At the first on 5th May 2007 she along with around 500 other local redidents was unable to get into the Town Hall, and this was repeated again when she attended the second meeting. There has been considerable public feeling in Marlborough and its surrounding district against these closures.
Today I have received a reply from the Prime Ministers Office at 10 Downing Street in which I was told “While we appreciate the concerns of local residents, it should be emphasised that local NHS organisations, in partnership with the local community and its Strategic Health Authority, are responsible for planning services locally, taking into account the needs of the local population.”
The e mail went on to explain the proceedures which would happen concluding that “Once the proposed plans are referred to the Secretary of State, these are then passed to an independent body - the national Independent Review Panel. The Panel will then examine and determine if the proposed changes are good for healthcare in an area.
However, we understand that in this case, the local Wiltshire OSC did not refer the proposals to the Secretary of State but took the view they were in the interests of the local community.
The e mail concluded “Decisions about healthcare services in a particular area ultimately need to be made locally. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), with their perspective across hospital, community and primary care, are best placed to take such decisions. It is now for the local NHS to take forward its plans and to continue working towards building modern and efficient health services. Individuals who are concerned about these changes may wish to express their views to Jeff James, the Chief Executive of Wiltshire PCT,”
We would very much appreciate it if you could explain how the views of the local residents have been taken into account and what measures have been taken when you have been working with them “in local partnership”. The present feeling is one of not understanding why this decision has been taken and no one can understand how it will in any way benefit local residents in the Marlborough area.
It isn’t just local people who are dismayed. The local GP surgeries are equally dumfounded at the decision and anyone who understands finance and has seen the major capital improvements made at Savernake is equally mistified at the decision.
As well as questioning the decision, the local residents feel that their views and commitment to Savernake Hospital have been totally ingnored and no one has taken the trouble nor seen the need to explain why the units at Savernake Hospital are being closed in the next week.
I am sorry to have to ask you to do this but the Prime Minister has told me to write to you personally to seek clarification and understanding on these very serious matters.