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Saying ‘no’ to NHS merger
"Leave Ashford alone" warned a Spelthorne councillor after it was announced hospital mergers took another step towards becoming a reality.
Ashford and St Peter's Hospital board members met with their Frimley counterparts on October 2 to review the practicalities of a merger and said there was compelling clinical benefits to be made.
However, no guarantees were made that services at Ashford would be unaffected.
Councillor for Ashford North and Stanwell South Simon Bhadye is a recently retired nurse of 28 years.
He said: "At the end of the day it's about money and trusts are run like businesses but it's the people that use them that need to be considered.
"We're taking about people's health, not a factory churning out baked beans."
Coun Bhadye is concerned about Ashford hospital's future but believes it can flourish if left alone.
He said: "The concern is that one hospital will be left in limbo and if the workloads are to be shared who will be the underdog?
"From experience one hospital can take over the other completely."
Reduced services at St Peter's Hospital have been ruled out at this stage and internal transport links between the three sites are being discussed along the lines of the existing "Peterbus".
What was less certain was whether patients formerly treated at their nearest hospital would now have to travel to Frimley to receive treatment and further talks will be held to clarify the situation.
While Stanwell resident Andrew McLuskey fears communications could breakdown within such a bloated organisation.'
Chairman of Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals Clive Thompson CBE said: "We are committed to ensuring that a potential merger will improve patient care and is best for staff and the NHS.
"We were encouraged by the shared enthusiasm and real desire to make this happen but we must make sure we have tested every aspect of it before we decide what to do."
Ashford and St Peter's say a merger would deliver enhanced training and career opportunities for staff and aim to treat the same or more patients.
8:55am Friday 19th October 2007
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