Fears over new consultations (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fears over new consultations

CAMPAIGNERS have expressed concerns about the change in approach by health bosses for deciding on changes to future services.

Kennet, North and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts had previously stated that proposals for changes to health services predicted to include closures of community hospitals would be issued in December followed by a three month consultation.

But last week the trusts announced there would be a consultation document issued in January but no specific sites would be mentioned.

Carol Clarke, chief executive of the trusts, said she wanted local district councillors to be involved with the trusts on deciding changes to health services.

The change in approach has come about because of changes to health services announced by the Government which will see GPs responsible for commissioning services from December next year.

The change was announced after the trusts spent this year talking to people from county and district councils, voluntary groups and others through the Pathways for Change process about how health services could change in the future.

Next October the PCTs will be merged into a larger PCT for Wiltshire, Bath and north east Somerset.

John Thomson, district and county councillor for Malmesbury, said: "We are back to square one. Why did they bother with the Pathways for Change process? They have devalued the process and themselves. They have undermined their creditability, they don't seem to stick to any processes or decisions."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said: "I think the NHS is in meltdown locally. Labour has spent a lot of money on health and it has gone into bureaucracy and closing Malmesbury Hospital."

Peter Evans, mayor of Devizes and chairman of DASH2 (Devizes Action to Save Our Hospital), said: "We are disappointed that we haven't got any positive information following the last meeting for Pathways for Change. We are going to continue lobbying for a hospital in Devizes."

Devizes MP Michael Ancram said: "In principle I always welcome genuine consultation with local authorities who understand what the real needs in their areas are.

"I would be suspicious, however, given past 'consultations' as to whether this is a smokescreen of further cuts or a genuine attempt to meet and address local demand."

n Representatives of the PCTs will be asked to present their timetable for public consultation at a meeting of the county council's health overview and scrutiny committee on December 14 at County Hall, Trowbridge. Members of the public can attend this meeting.