Shotley Hospital: Real Progress or just More Talk?
© Copyright Colin Edgar and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
The Foundation Hospital trust, which runs County Durham’s Acute Hospitals and currently owns Shotley Bridge Hospital, has made a joint statement with the Primary Care Trust which is responsible for planning to meet the health needs of local people.
The good news is that in the short term they have agreed:
- To have a long term plan for Shotley by April 2008
- That in the meantime no changes are planned to Shotley’s services
The long term is still not clear, though in an interesting move they have started discussions about whether Shotley Bridge Community Hospital should continue to be owned by the Foundation Trust or should become owned by the Primary Care Trust.
I have received a letter from the Chief Executive of the PCT writing about Shotley Hospital in which she states, “the intention is to work with a range of stakeholders including staff, public and the district and county councils to plan the future”. You can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be working to make sure that that happens. I’m confident that you’ll be doing the same.
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