Thame hospital will NOT close promises PCT

THE Primary Care Trust for Thame Community Hospital promised a packed town hall last night that there were no plans to close the hospital.

Richard Mills, Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust’s Director of Strategy and Planning, was speaking at a public meeting organised by the League of Friends of Thame Community Hospital, to demonstrate the strength of local feeling against the PCT’s slashing of 30 hours medical cover by local GPS, to just four hours by a private company based in Chalfont St Giles.

Many local residents feared that this cut, plus a reduction in the number of beds at the hospital from 12 to 8 recently, was “a slippery slope” to complete closure of the hospital.

When Sarah Taylor, Chair of The League of Friends, criticised the PCT for bad communication, lack of public consultation and “cuts by the back door,” she drew applause from the audience.

Replying, Richard Mills said: “I want to say sorry for the concerns we have caused. We want to engage with local people but even so, we have to balance competing demands. It is your hospital and we want to take you with us.”

He added that although there will be future financial uncertainties, the