Working for a new Thame hospital ‘like pushing a rock up hill’

THE Chair of Thame Hospital?s League of Friends, Sarah Taylor, has welcomed plans to redevelop the hospital but described trying to move forward the redevelopment plans as like ?pushing a rock up hill.?
At the League?s AGM last Wednesday (24/09), the guest speaker was Richard Mills, Director for System Reform, Bucks Primary Care Trust (PCT), who stated that, although the Trust is looking at possible alternative sites for a new 24 bed hospital development, use of the present site and buildings was far more likely, for geographical reasons among others, and that the details would probably take two to three years to decide on.

Richard Mills said that he was impressed by the amount of advocacy the ?Friends? and the town were able to muster, and stated that the development would probably include community facilities.

Norman Brand put in a strong plea for the work of the Day Centre, its members and its members’ families and friends, which was appreciated by Richard Mills who accepted the importance of the day centre?s work.

WHAT IS PROPOSED?

What is proposed is a 24 bed hospital plus many ancillary services, a diagnostic centre, plus existing services like physiotherapy. Those involved in the project are looking to work with partners in Mental Health, the Children?s centre and Social Services.
It is anticipated that there could be a possible hold up with the planning authorities at some point, explained Sarah, so time scales are difficult to project.

Some concerns were expressed about possible problems, still to be resolved, about keeping facilities going during the building work. Apparently, the GPs would prefer a green field development as giving greater scope but there seems little doubt that it would be a more expensive way to go. It would take longer because of planning issues but on the other hand, it would make it much easier to keep services going during the development.

?When we have enough material and information, we can start fund raising,? continued Sarah. ?It will cost a lot more than the