George Eliot Hospital cuts

[Madhatter]

Don't know how many actually went to this meeting as I didn't make it, no one put it on here so I forgot it was on, which is a shame I don't see why I should go to other sites and copy information to here when it could and should be on both. The events section is open to non members so you don't even have to join.
The cuts, I don't think anyone agrees with the cuts, we here in lil ole Atherstone haven't even got a cottage hospital so I do not see why we should put up with these cuts, and be expected to go to coventry. It seems the same is happening at several hospitals over the country, some have already 'saved' millions by merging through staff cuts. I thought we were short of nurses and now suddenly we can get rid of not dozens but hundreds of trained nursing and medical staff.
I've also seen that proposals include closing the emergency doctors, does that mean the new doc facility, because if it does that will swamp casualty again .

"A Scathing attack on the proposed loss of service at George Eliot Hospital has been made by former Mayor of North Warwickshire Derek Forwood.

Mr Forwood has blasted the Acute Services Review which he says fails to recognise the needs and travel problems of North Warwickshire people who would find it difficult to get to Coventry for treatment.

"Suffering from cancer and emphysema, I have to attend George Eliot Hospital regularly and I do not know how I would cope if I had to go to Coventry," he said.

"The report states that the driving time from Atherstone to University Hospital is around 45 minutes but this assumes clear roads.

"Further, it does not give the driving time from No Mans Heath or Newton Regis, which are also in the catchment area.

"Nor does it state that nearly 30 per cent of households in Atherstone do not have a car and have to rely on public transport."

The former councillor, a freeman of the borough of North Warwickshire, added: "The review also does not acknowledge that North Warwickshire has experienced the largest increase in the numbers of people with long- term limiting illnesses since 1991, resulting in a greater demand on the hospital services from these areas."

Mr Forwood also dismissed the report where it states that people should have an increased choice of where they are treated.

"You cannot liken hospitals to competition in the sales of soap flakes!" he said.

"People do not want a choice of hospital. If requiring medical treatment they want to be sent to their nearest local hospital, knowing that they will receive the best of services."

He is urging the people from North Warwickshire to attend the public meeting at Atherstone Memorial Hall tonight (Thursday) to hear representatives from the Review Board explain their proposals.

The meeting, organised by Atherstone Town Council, begins at 6.30pm."

Atherstone Herald

is councilor one l's or two?

[Madhatter]

Well this seems to have gone quiet, there was a protest march in Nuneaton but it all seems to have died down now, just like the law courts and police station in Athersone closing, It will no doubt be dust under the carpet soon. I think councillors make a fuss (but only when they want to put their council head on of course) to impress the public, when they've made a bit they forget about it and the public do too thinking they are still working on it behind the scenes.