has pledged to continue to represent the views of the local community following
the recent publication of the Royal College of Physicians Review into services
at West Cornwall Hospital, which recommends the transfer of emergency cases
to Treliske Hospital in Truro. The group stated on Friday, the day the report
was made public: “We are very disappointed that the clearly stated views
of this community seem to have been ignored; but the fight will go on”.
Co-ordinator Marna Blundy says: “The review team visitors, who came from Sheffield, Kent, Plymouth and Somerset, had been presented with powerful arguments by representatives of the community – leading local councillors, Jim McKenna from Penwith District Council who was also representing Kerrier District Council, the League of Friends and ourselves. Indeed, in the report they pay tribute to our intelligent and perceptive understanding of the situation. However, they then proceeded to ignore what we said, demonstrating that they do not understand the needs of this community at all. Indeed, how could they? – they were only in Penzance for one day. Furthermore, it seems that the Report was always likely to produce these findings, given the contents of a letter sent by the President of the Royal College of Surgeons to a local Consultant Physician back in July 2000. He wrote: “Somehow we have to explain to people that if they want high quality emergency medicine then they do have to travel further……A report from us might then take the pressure off the local doctors such as yourself which you might find helpful.” We are therefore forced to the conclusion that the Royal College of Physicians Review Team visitors came with their minds already made up, which is why their findings come as no surprise. This is an appalling state of affairs, and indicates the lengths that some in the NHS will go to in order to get their own way. Clearly a needs-led, evidence-based approach to the provision of healthcare for the people of West Cornwall is but an empty promise.
Our fear is that this Report will now be taken to justify changes being implemented at West Cornwall Hospital sooner rather than later. Although we were assured that the report would be just one part of a total Review, in which all options would be considered, we understand that a Project Plan is already being drawn up by a Project Manager who is committed to making changes within the next two years. It seems to us that other options – such as the expansion and development of acute services in Penzance – are at best a paper exercise and are not being taken at all seriously. Despite repeated requests, we ourselves have not been able to find anyone who will properly detail what is apparently required in order to maintain West Cornwall Hospital’s acute / emergency medicine and surgery. The health managers will find it very hard to convince this community that we do not deserve such investment and services here.
At our Annual General Meeting last Friday, we were joined at his request by Andrew George M.P. He told us that we had an absolutely pivotal role in the coming weeks, since we are the only body to whom people can turn to represent them. He declared himself to be “right behind us”. We are also working alongside the League of Friends, parish, town and district councils in both Kerrier and Penwith, and every “man in the street”. We all know that we are fighting for the clearly expressed desires of this community, and readers can be assured that we shall all continue the fight.”
will shortly hold meetings with the local M.P., with the League of Friends and
the Mayors of Penwith and Kerrier, to agree next steps; and also with Thelma
Holland, Chief Executive of the Health Authority.