JEREMY MEETS WITH CHRIS BUTLER AND SURREY PCT TO DISCUSS HASLEMERE BED CLOSURES

January 29th 2010: Jeremy visits Haslemere Hospital and discusses bed closures with local Councillors

Jeremy Hunt MP and Dr Nicky Lee met with the Chief Executive of Surrey PCT, Chris Butler, on Friday to discuss bed closures at Haslemere hospital. Present at the meeting were Mr Butler and several other officials including Alison Edgington from Surrey Community Health and Julian Lee, Chair of the Surrey PCT.  Jeremy sought answers as to why the community beds had been closed and pushed for a date for their reopening. 

Jeremy and Dr Lee were told at the meeting is that work is due to start in Godwin Ward before the end of February to create proper single sex facilities. After this work was completed the combined Godwin/Elizabeth patients would be moved to Godwin Ward so similar work on Elizabeth Ward could commence. However subsequent to the meeting the PCT refused to commit to a date to reopen both wards and say that the second ward will only be reopened if there is "sufficient demand" raising serious concerns about whether it will reopen at all.


Speaking afterwards Jeremy said: “I was given repeated verbal assurances at my meeting with PCT boss Chris Butler that the closure of the ward was "temporary" because they wanted to refurbish it to create single sex toilets and bathrooms. However following the meeting the PCT has refused to commit to a reopening date and is now saying the ward will only reopen if there is enough "demand." This seems to be the polar opposite of the reassuring tone adopted at the meeting - and leaves me with grave concerns. Either the PCT is committed to community beds at Haslemere or it isn't - but leaving us in limbo like this will only fuel suspicions about the long term future of the beds. It is time for Haslemere to mobilise once again and make our voices known: I will be inviting Chris Butler to come to Haslemere to explain his policies at a public meeting, and following that if he is unable to provide satisfactory assurances we will launch a full-scale campaign to save the community beds."

Comments On This Article

I am sorry about the "temporary" closure of one of the wards at Haslemere Hospital and the non-promise of its' re-opening. It's just not on. The NHS, and its' money, belongs to the paying public and the paying public should have their say.

I have to say that I will only use single sex wards.

I would like to see both Milford and Haslemere Hospitals expanded into proper old-style Cottage Hospitals, but with proper A & E failities. The Royal Surrey is a heck of a long way to go in an ambulance, in an emergency.

Milford Hosptal could, of course, keep its' great rehabilitation facilities - even encoporating some Private Health sports' injury experts, to attract some real cash. Ashley Cole lives locally, but is in FRANCE, recovering from a broken ankle! Why?

As for a site for a local Polyclinic, which you might be considering, Jeremy, on a main arterial road, I would suggest we look at the car park of the Milford Crossroads' Surgery. I would very much like to see such clinis incorporate basic A & E/Emergency areas, with ambulances, though, because of other, threatened, closures in the Region.

The traffic around Milford Crossroads' Roundabout, though, definitely needs organising. It's difficult, dangerous and chaotic - especially for pedestrians. It makes Piccadilly Circus seem like a breeze.

Crossing the junction on foot is like a game of Hopscotch, with Consequences. Only the most fit and able can survive.

A small, proper, central flowerbed needs to be put in place. Then, proper traffic lghts need to be installed, in FOUR plaes.

I expect, with the advent of the not-needed Tesco's in the Portsmouth Road, traffic will get very much thicker and buses will be delayed.

wordwatch  |  28 February 2010