Cameron joins health row (From Witney Gazette)

Cameron joins health row

9:00am Wednesday 19th April 2006 in Witney By Andrew Alexander

WITNEY MP David Cameron has joined the ranks of people calling for beds at a local mental health hospital to be saved.

The Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust was in town asking for views on its proposals, which could include shutting the 15-bed Moorview unit for elderly people in favour of treatment at day centres and at home.

At the public consultation meeting in Langdale Hall, last Tuesday, Mr Cameron said: "It's to your credit you're being frank. It's not your fault, there's a problem in the Oxfordshire health economy.

"All too many times the argument that if we put everything together in Oxford we can have higher standards and better staff retention is used against having facilities out in the market towns. I would ask you to look again at closing the much-valued beds at Moorview."

One of the trust's options involves closing Moorview, with patients needing hospital treatment being admitted to Banbury or Oxford.

Other options include leaving Moorview but cutting community services, or closing a ward at the Fulbrook Centre, Oxford. Campaigner Wendy Edwards said: "The options described in this consultation paper are like asking: 'Do you want to lose an arm or a leg?'"

'It's not your fault, there's a problem in the Oxfordshire health economy'

David Cameron

After the meeting, the NHS representatives spoke to the economic and social overview and scrutiny committee at West Oxfordshire District Council. The committee's recommendation will be sent to the council's cabinet, which will decide on a formal response at a meeting today.