Hospital must be saved (From Witney Gazette)

Hospital must be saved

9:00am Wednesday 26th April 2006 in Witney By Andrew Alexander

MOORVIEW Hospital in Witney must remain open, a West Oxfordshire District Council committee said last week.

The council's ruling cabinet had been asked to comment on options put forward by the Oxfordshire Mental Health NHS Trust (OMHT) for the future of the 15-bed hospital for elderly patients with mental health problems.

The OMHT's favoured option is to close the Moorland Road unit, sending patients to Banbury or Oxford instead, in an effort to reduce a projected £7.2m gap in this year's budget.

As part of a consultation process, the district council was asked for its views.

Speaking at the meeting on April 19, councillor Ian Hudspeth said: "The main thing about this situation is it's not about patient care, it's about cutting costs.

"They've admitted right from the beginning they're going to have to reduce patient care.

"Already we're not spending enough on mental health care as other areas, and we're being asked to reduce it."

Councillor Ian Hudspeth

"Already we're not spending enough on mental health care as other areas, and we're being asked to reduce it.

"Where are the cuts coming from? From West Oxfordshire, and it's simply not good enough."

Hilary Biles said: "I really feel that to centralise everything, as the strategic health authority would like us to do, won't help the patients, it won't help the families. I'm appalled."

The cabinet's recommendation will go on April 26 to a meeting of the full council, which will decide on a final response to the OMHT's plans.

Last year, more than 8,500 people signed a petition asking for the hospital to be saved.

The public consultation on the proposals ends on Monday, May 15. To find out more, visit www.neoxon-pct.nhs.uk, and to comment, write to Freepost RLZA-KJZG-SGTX, North Oxfordshire PCT Partnership, Indigo House, Banbury Business Park, Aynho Road, Adderbury, Banbury OX17 3NS.