WILLIAM HAGUE has added his weight to the fight to save children’s services at a hospital by urging clinicians to consider all alternative solutions.
The Richmond MP expressed concern at the distances some patients would have to travel if a consultancy- led maternity unit was no longer available at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
The controversial proposals to downgrade paediatric and maternity services at the hospital are being discussed at consultation meetings across the Hambleton and Richmondshire area.
The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), chaired by Dr Vicky Playdell, is conducting the meetings and will make a recommendation about what will happen to the services.
A report into paediatric services at the hospital by the National Clinical Advisory Team earlier this year recommended an outpatient-only unit. As a consequence, the maternity ward would no longer be sustainable in its current form.
Mr Hague said yesterday: “I share the deep concerns that many residents have over the proposed changes at the Friarage.
Patients already have to travel long distances, often through difficult rural conditions, and this would be made worse if they had to travel all the way to the James Cook University Hospital (in Middlesbrough) for consultantled maternity services.
“The Friarage is the single most important provider of healthcare services in Hambleton and Richmondshire.
“It is crucial that any proposed changes to paediatric and maternity services give the utmost consideration to the possible dangers and inconvenience of patients having to travel longer distances.
“I welcome the current public consultation process and I continue to encourage the South Tees NHS Foundation Trust to set out a clear and positive vision for the Friarage.
“I call on them and the CCG to consider the full spectrum of alternative solutions to ensure these vitally important local services are maintained.”
A family march and rally in protest of the service cuts in Northallerton on Saturday, May 26, will be addressed by Mr Hague. For more details on the rally, email Sandy Walker on rosaley@btinternet.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here