Ludlow Hospital is safe – for the time being – according to Peter Corfield, chairman of the league of friends.
And if all the approvals are achieved, building work for more facilities could start by November next year.
His optimism comes from a talk at the friends’ recent annual meeting by Jo Chambers, chief executive of the Shropshire Primary Care Trust.
“We are committed to providing and maintaining vibrant community hospitals as a key element in our vision statement,” said Ms Chambers.
“ The recent investments we have made at Stone House, Bishops Castle and at Ludlow must surely demonstrate the importance we attach to these local facilities.
“The advanced X-ray facilities at Ludlow, where images can be sent electronically to consultants and GP surgeries is an example of cutting-edge technology that has a direct local benefit.”
The PCT proposals for Ludlow Hospital were also explained. The submission for a ‘community venture’ project is still lodged with the Department for Health, but in view of the delayed decision, the PCT has decided to submit a case for traditional NHS funding to develop the hospital.
The Strategic Health Authority has supported this route and has given approval for the PCT to develop and submit a plan for funding of a new hospital.
The new building would make a wider range of health services accessible closer to home for local people, make use of new technology and provide more opportunities for integrated health and social care to be available.
Sal Riding, chair of the Locality Commissioning Board which includes the eight GP practices in this area, explained how the GPs are contributing to this process.
GPs are giving more in-practice services and the increased role of consultants locally and other initiatives will reduce the need for patients to travel to Shrewsbury, Telford or Hereford for routine consultations.
The league does not know where the new hospital will be sited, said Mr Corfield. “We have always held the view that easy access for local residents is essential, and we will ensure that this is taken into account.”
“There are a number of reasons why may not be possible to develop the existing site. There is a need for our new facilities to be able to cope with the Ludlow area as it develops in the next 20 years or so,” he added.
“The present site has a listed building, poor parking and is unlikely to be able to accommodate buildings of the right size and standard. It would be nigh on impossible to continue to care for patients in the midst of a massive building site. There are real issues with the present Clee Ward accommodation, such as infection control, patient dignity and technical items, such as oxygen supplies.”
“The empty Whitcliffe Ward, with some minor refurbishing, can address these concerns. For our part, any purchases we make will be ‘transportable’ to new premises.
