MP urges CCG to stop “bogus consultation”

A Devon MP has urged his local health authority to be “honest” about the future of one the area’s hospitals and stop wasting time with “bogus consultation”.

Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox made the comments after meeting with the Northern, Eastern & Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to discuss the future of Holsworthy Community Hospital. He was accompanied by Holsworthy Mayor Jon Hutchings and county councillor Barry Parsons.

On March 31, 2017, inpatient beds at Holsworthy Hospital were temporarily closed due to safety concerns about both staffing shortages and the low occupancy of the beds.

As the Trust determines its staffing needs based on the care that it provides, it must first address the issue of low occupancy.

The Trust has said that it is working with community leaders and clinical stakeholders.

Mr Cox has been in touch with the both the CCG and the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust since the bed closure numerous times and is unhappy with the progress that has been made.

He encouraged the CCG to “level” with the community and not exercise a “phantom consultation” on the Hospital’s reopening in a bid to fulfil procedural standards.

“Sadly I am not yet convinced that the NDHT or CCG are seriously engaging in what can be described as a plan to reopen the hospital,” said Mr Cox.

“I urged the CCG not to allow the community’s time to be wasted with bogus consultation exercises designed only to go through the motions of consulting on the reopening of the Hospital if there is no intention to do so.

Our community has placed a great deal of trust and goodwill in the CCG and hospital bosses and my constituents will expect that they reciprocate in the same vein.

“I will shortly be meeting the Minister for Hospitals, Phillip Dunne MP, to discuss with him the future of our community hospitals and local health services, and, in particular the reduction of bed capacity in the local NHS.”

Holsworthy mayor Jon Hutchings added: “It is now time for the NDHT to start being honest about the future of Holsworthy Hospital.”

DevonLive.com has contacted Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and the CCG for a comment on their meeting with Mr Cox but so far nobody has been available to comment.

 

Article originally appeared on Devon Live

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.

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