JEREMY ENCOURAGED BY PCT COMMITMENT TO REOPENING GODWIN WARD BEDS

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

Jeremy is pleased that his recent meeting with Surrey PCT has finally led to a public commitment that Godwin ward at Haslemere will be reopened following its refurbishment.  Jeremy met with Chris Butler, Chief Executive, and several other health officials to discuss the recent bed closures. During the meeting Jeremy pushed Mr Butler for a firm commitment on bed reopening and the PCT said they would issue a statement reassuring people that the hospital was safe. However, the PCT then stalled and the promised reassurance did not appear.  Following a phone call in which Jeremy conveyed his serious concerns, the PCT issued a statement explaining they would reopen Godwin once the refurbishment was complete.  However they have not yet made any commitment to reopening Elizabeth Ward, which is in line for a refurbishment after Godwin. Jeremy is pleased with the latest announcement but is still inviting Chris Butler to speak at a public meeting in order to completely allay peoples concerns. He will be keeping a close eye on developments over the coming weeks.

Jeremy said: “By the middle of last week I was extremely concerned that despite reassurances during the meeting, the PCT were not actually committed to reopening the beds.  I expressed this to Chris Butler over the phone and explained that saying one thing during a meeting and then another a few days later simply fuelled people’s worries.  So it is a big step forward that they are now confirming that they will reopen Godwin ward once the refurbishment is complete.  There is no mention of Elizabeth ward reopening following its refurbishment and we will seek a similar commitment – preferably at a public meeting in Haslemere so we can all ask them any questions we have.”

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