Having campaigned to retain services at Heatherwood Hospital on numerous occasions over the last decade, I am dismayed that we are once again threatened with its closure.

 

This time the threat appears to emanate from the Primary Care Trust (PCT), which purchases health services and treatments from Heatherwood Hospital on behalf of patients across Berkshire.  To put it in a nutshell, the PCT has decided to reconsider from whom it buys its’ services and this is creating a period of major uncertainty for our local hospital.

 

It is vital that the PCT are clear and open about their plans so that residents in Ascot know what’s going on and are in a position to respond accordingly.

 

If you have not done so already, I would encourage you to make your views and experiences known to the PCT.  Heatherwood & Wexham Park Trust will also be running a consultation, and I would again urge you to contribute.

 

I continue to be in active and regular contact and communication with the NHS Trusts and other local healthcare bodies, and recently met with the new Chief Executive of Heatherwood to urge her to do what she can to retain services on the Heatherwood site.

 

I have also raised questions in Parliament and I am due to meet representatives from the Primary Care Trust in the near future.

 

There is a good chance that services will be retained at Heatherwood, but we must make a concerted effort to continue to make our voices heard.  Local healthcare in general, and Heatherwood in particular, are issues that matter to all of us.