‘Let down’ by consultation

3:15pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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FOLLOWING a statement by Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) that the cost of a unit including inpatient beds at Alcester Hospital cannot be justified, councillors are claiming the public consultation was merely a PR exercise.

Councillor Eric Payne was disappointed with the way the consultation was handled.

He said: "Many people had worked hard throughout the whole of the consultation period, in partnership with the PCT, and despite two thirds of people asking for inpatient beds, to learn that it was not even being considered based on information the PCT had in their possession as early as last summer, was very upsetting and they have let a great number of people down."

The PCT audited the beds at Alcester Hospital in the summer of last year, and again in March of this year during the public consultation.

Their findings were that currently the beds at Alcester are providing significant provision for social care needs, and something more resembling long-term care is needed, rather than a "traditional" hospital set up.

More than 1,000 residents from Alcester and the surrounding area filled out feedback forms, with 64 per cent stating inpatient beds as a priority.

Councillor Sue Adams added: "It is obvious now that the effort put into the consultation, our presence at their project team meetings, bed pushes or placards would not have made any difference to the outcome.

"Beds can only be justified by hard evidence, which we do not have at present.

"All the members of Alcester Town Council are committed to continuing the fight for more beds for Alcester and will continue to lobby to try and get them."

Speaking of the results of the consultation and audit, Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for Adult Health and Community Services, said: "We are determined to make sure that the social care provision in Alcester meets the needs of the local community.

"The county council and the PCT are working together to look at how these needs can best be met."