Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust has today announced a number of potential acute healthcare proposals for Worcestershire residents. These vary from a "no change" model, to one which may see further significant downgrades to Kidderminster's hospital.
Speaking on these issues, Mark says of overall health provision: "As local MP, I am absolutely in favour of the best possible healthcare provided locally. No one would disagree with that, and that is why I recognise the need for the review of county-wide services, but also maintain that more, not fewer, services should come to Kidderminster."
However, having spoken with local members of the Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group, Mark adds a note of caution: "I worry that this review is about acute hospitals only and has not taken a complete holistic approach, apparently ignoring the contribution made by GP surgeries, the local community hospitals that are scattered about the county, the work of the hospice organisations - Kemp, in our case - district nurses and all the other areas that are relevant. A review of hospitals is, by its nature, not a review of preventative care. I want to see more resources put into preventative measures so we as a community are healthier and as individuals avoid needing to go to hospitals in the first place. That includes care for the increasing population of elderly residents."
Mark also makes clear that the review process has been initiated locally and is not a central government inspired process. "This review is happening because of the happy outcome of people living longer. This is down to the excellent service provided by the NHS doctors and nurses, but has resulted in a bigger burden on health services. The coalition government has had to deal with the financial mess inherited from the previous government, but in setting budgets (and the deficit reduction programme) has increased the health budget - delivering around £12.5 billion more every year to 2014/15. The recent health act is about delivering more front line services, and across the NHS 4,000 more doctors and 900 more midwives are being provided at the expense of 16,000 fewer administrators. £7 billion of waste and inefficiency has been rooted out and the savings reinvested into front line services."
Mark also comments on the initiative taken by Wyre Forest's Conservatives councillors, who have tabled a motion seeking to secure the future of services at Kidderminster's hospital. "I hope the whole council will unanimously support the Conservative group's initiative on this important matter. They have proposed an intelligent and thoughtful motion and it is important that the council speaks as one on this. I am keen to meet with all interested parties as soon as possible to make sure that we have a coordinated approach to ensuring the best outcome for Wyre Forest."
Finally, Mark talks about Dr Richard Taylor's involvement in the process: "When Wyre Forest was threatened with hospital changes under the previous government, they turned to Dr Richard Taylor for help. That is why I argued that Richard should be a part of this current health review, fought for unanimous support for his involvement, and helped persuade Richard to participate, offering him the resources of my office should he need them.
(Date of article: 14th June 2012)