Press Release
Dear editor,
It seems that everyone just wants to pass the buck for the failure to deliver a
new Community Hospital in Malvern.
On 9th March Health Minister, Andy Burnham MP made a statement in the House of
Commons keeping the door open for a Malvern bid to share the £750 million
community hospital fund, if the PCT could demonstrate affordability and value
for money.
Last week the Chief Executive of Worcestershire PCT, Paul Bates announced that
the Trust would not even advertise for partners until the autumn, dashing hopes
of a replacement before 2010.
He blamed legal constraints for the delays, but in reality the combination of
reorganisation and financial problems, both caused by meddling from Whitehall,
mean that the PCT cannot afford to proceed.
However, I must take issue with comments in last weeks editorial that it is
'frustrating to see a grand new health centre rising up at the council’s
Pickersleigh depot site.' I believe that the thousands of local residents
who will benefit from the wide range of health services to be provided will be
very pleased with the new facilities. Well done to the District Council
for making this happen.
You will recall that in January 2005, the District Council offered to combine
the Health Centre with the new Community Hospital on the large four acre site.
There were obvious advantages, including the synergy of health care provision,
with the presence of doctors on site (something the Seaford Court site could
never provide) and the economies of scale for joint provision. Furthermore, the
capital receipt for Seaford Court, which would then have been developed for
housing, would have provided the funding for the new hospital.
Those who opposed the idea then must be wondering if we wouldn’t have our new
hospital by now.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Burt
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate
West Worcestershire
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