Closure of Ashby and District Hospital

I know a good number of parishioners took part in the recent survey from the Civic Society. We have received this update:

Improving Community Health Services for Patients in Ashby and District

Closure of Ashby and District Hospital

Information and News Bulletin 17th October 2014

Thank you for your support to the Ashby Civic Society about the future of Ashby Hospital.  Of more than 3,000 respondents to its survey, only 27 expressed a preference for the hospital to close.  We believe this reflects not simply nostalgia from the public but genuine concerns about local community healthcare and that the NHS is failing to deliver on the undertaking at the start of its “Fit for the Future” consultation: that it would be “improving” community health services for patients in Ashby and district.
A team from the Society recently took the results of its survey to a meeting with the Chairman of West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and other NHS representatives.   We have held a discussion with Andrew Bridgen MP.  We are liaising with Ashby Town Council and other representatives.  We have raised a number of issues at all levels of the NHS and with government bodies.
We are intending to take our survey to a meeting of the Board of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust which will be held in The European Suite at Leicester Tigers Welford Road stadium on Thursday 30 October.  This is located on the first floor of the Clubhouse. Though members of the public may attend, please note that this is not a ‘Public Meeting’.   There is no requirement in proceedings for the Chairman to allow questions from the floor, but we are pressing for pre-submitted questions to be considered, directly or via Healthwatch Leicestershire, and we expect Ashby Hospital to be an important item on the Board’s agenda at which important decisions could be taken.
 Space will be limited, but it would be helpful to the Civic Society team to have a significant presence at that meeting to reinforce public opinion.  
The LPT Board meeting will commence at 1.00p.m and is scheduled to finish by 3.00p.m.  If you would like to support our attendance there please notify me as soon as possible.  We need to give fair warning how many seats could be wanted.  This will also help us with arranging car sharing.  Car parking is available in the Tigers Crumbie Car Park off Aylestone Road or in the NCP public car park next to the stadium. Some may also wish to stay on for a meeting of NHS ‘shadow governors’ which immediately follows the main Board meeting.
We have to be realistic.  It is likely to take prolonged pressure.  Even if we lose the hospital site we are determined to ensure it is not relinquished without every effort having been made to ensure patients are receiving a better service.
Kind regards,
Frank Bedford
Email: frank.bedford@ntlworld.com
Tel. 01530 467183