Boris Welcomes New Money For Community Hospitals

THAME’S MP, Boris Johnson, has welcomed the Minister For Health’s announcement today, about future investment in community hospitals, but calls for action and not just words.
In a statement issued today, Boris, who has lobbied vigourously for local hospitals, particularly Townlands hospital in Henley, said: “Any extra money set aside specifically for community hospitals is to be welcomed.
“However it is hard not to feel that we have been here before. It is vital that this time round the Secretary of State?s rhetoric is matched by action. Previous pledges of support have too often failed to result in practical help materialising on the ground.

“We don?t want a community hospital regeneration plan that involves closing community hospitals. It is no use investing in infrastructure if services are not funded to match.
“PCTs must be helped and encouraged to access this money. In the meantime there must be a moratorium on any further closures.”

The Chair of The Friends of Thame Community Hospital, Sarah Taylor, told ThameNews.Net today: “We have won stage one of a battle, and are to stay in an, albeit, enlarged Buckinghamshire PCT (Primary Care Trust). But of course the PCT has no money.
“Now we are working towards converting the site of the hospital and Health Centre, to provide a ‘National Health Park’ type of facility, for which we may be able to get help from a private constructor.
“This money announced today (Ed.