The future of Market Harborough's hospital

10.33.00pm GMT Tue 28th Oct 2008

Senior managers from Leicestershire County & Rutland Primary Care Trust met local Liberal Democrats earlier this week to discuss the latest plans for Market Harborough's hospitals, following the end of the recent public consultation. At the meeting they confirmed they are taking into account local people's requests for services in any new development. They also said 2012 was the earliest possible completion date for developments, but were unable to give a firm date - particularly in light of the current economic climate.

The meeting was held between Dominic Cox (Associate Director of Primary Care), Programme Manager Rachel Cox, County Councillor Sarah Hill, District Councillor Eileen Roeber, Jenny Besbrode and Chair of Market Harborough Lib Dems Phil Knowles.

The meeting took place at the Trust Offices in Leicester and lasted over one and a quarter hours. 

County Councillor Sarah Hill said: "The closure of the 16-week consultation period on 5 October offered the opportunity to look in detail and to comment on the Lib Dems' recent door-to-door survey in and around Harborough and to look closely at the public wish list, the highlights of which are:

• 90.9% of the public called for a wider range of outpatient clinics with more visiting consultants - the Trust underlined their full support for this concept within the hospital development

• 76% called for respite care type beds - the Trust confirmed that beds will be available for patients who are discharged from hospital and require further treatment and support to enable them to return home

• Over 85% of those who completed the survey called for day care surgical facilities at the new site - The Trust confirmed this to be one of their priorities, with the full list yet to be specified.

• 88% indicated a wish for Physiotherapy facilities, Diagnostic investigations, endoscopy - the Trust were clear in their support for a greater range of diagnostics tests to be made available locally which may include MRI scanning."

Sarah continued:

"Of the other areas we asked the public about, the public call for Palliative Care is a priority with the Trust and they confirmed that they will have plans in place to develop services. Outpatient access to pain and symptom management is part of a wider consideration along with the general heading of Learning for People with Disabilities where the Trust will continue to work with Leicestershire Partnership Trust. This also includes outpatient clinics for substance misuse. The Trust also confirmed their support for the inclusion of Health Promotion sessions and Clinic sessions for long term conditions, the finite detail of which will be agreed shortly.

Top of the public wish list for Market Harborough's new facility is a 24/7 minor injuries facility. The Trust confirmed that there would be a minor injury and illness service in the town. The service could be GP and nurse led so there is considerable discussion needed about what this service would provide and the hours of availability. Out-of-hours services are outside the scope of the review, but the Trust confirmed that this has been raised as a key issue at public consultation events. The Trust will need to respond to this. The facility to bolster support for wider Community Nursing support was also confirmed as a priority."

Speaking after the meeting Phil Knowles thanked the Trust for the invitation to meet and for the assurances they gave. "'We discussed a possible date of 2012, which should be improved upon if it is at all possible. The Trust advised us they intend to put everything onto the site at St Luke's and it is likely to be a mix of new build and refurbishment. We understand the plans will be available as soon as realistically possible. Whilst they were unable to confirm budgets for operational reasons, we understand that work is in progress on the financial planning looking at options which enable them to work with partners from a preferred bidders list and other third party solutions.

"The one area of concern is, of course, the current financial situation, although we were able to gain assurances that Harborough will be regarded seriously as part of the forthcoming prioritisation process. The Trust confirmed they are already involved in an Economic Impact Assessment Programme. We took the opportunity to discuss the future of the Coventry Road site, which the Trust confirmed would need to be sold so that the money received can be used to pump prime the development of St Luke's. We were however given assurances that the Trust will look at opportunities available to them for sale of the building. The Trust felt it was important that the maximum financial potential is sought to assist local investment in services. They have also assured us that the future of the War Memorial is a serious consideration.

"On a final point we pointed out that concerns have been raised with us via the Focus doorstep survey regarding the name of the new hospital, many people remember the name St Luke's in connection with the old workhouse. We have suggested to the Trust that the new facility should be given a new name, and why not invite the people of Harborough to suggest the name. It is, after all, their Community Hospital."

Speaking on behalf of the Trust Catherine Griffiths, chief executive, said: "We are extremely pleased to be able to meet local people to discuss their wishes in detail. Our proposals for community health services will not be finalised until we have analysed the full results of the consultation - we anticipate recommendations going to our Board in January. Following this we will begin to have a clearer idea of timescales and we will keep in close touch with all local stakeholders."