Future of Community Health Services
Councillors from Malvern Hills District
Council recently attended two consultation meetings regarding the
future of community health services, which include community
hospitals. Organised by NHS Worcestershire and held in
Malvern and Tenbury, the consultation meetings were not open to
members of the public.
The audience was told about two rival bids to
manage community services throughout the county in the
future. The first bid looks to combine community health
services with services that are currently managed by the
Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership Trust and the second, to
combine community health services with the management of acute
health services.
Councillor Ralph Madden, the health lead for
Malvern Hills District Council says:
“Whilst the presentations were illuminating it
was impossible for us to comment effectively on the proposals as
there was no detailed evidence to support either bid. Our
first thought was how we can get a feel for public opinion on these
proposals but we were told that the government view was that, as
this was a structural change, it was not appropriate to consult the
public.”
The consultation period ends on the
3rd September with the final decision being taken at a
Board meeting at NHS Worcestershire on the 15th
September. Councillor Madden continues:
“Having now heard the arguments it seems that
more weight will be given to the views of local GPs, staff and
clinicians but I am determined that local views will be represented
by local councillors. I have today invited colleagues from
all councils in Worcestershire to come together quickly to discuss
all available options including the two rival bids. This way
we hope to influence the government’s thinking. I would also urge
members of the public to visit the NHS Worcestershire website at
worcestershire.nhs.uk
to view the proposals and give their comments.”
