6,000 support Christchurch hospital future (From Bournemouth Echo)

6,000 support Christchurch hospital future

9:00pm Sunday 7th March 2010 in

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RESIDENTS concerned about the future of Christchurch Hospital are planning to present a 6,000 strong petition at a public meeting today.

Sue Ellis, part of a group opposed to “the closure of wards and downgrading of services” at the hospital, said that residents fear that the hospital will be left “half empty”.

Chief executive of Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust, Tony Spotswood and medical director, Mary Armitage, are expected to attend the meeting at the Civic Offices in Bridge Street at 6.30pm to answer residents’ questions and explain the consultation document.

The current consultation, which lasts until April 23, deals with the needs of the trust as a whole with a specific section dedicated to the numerous options for the hospital including intensifying the use of the site for outpatients’ services or utilising the beds already at the hospital for other needs.

Sue Ellis, of Fairmile Road, Christchurch, said: “We hope to hand in our petition just to show that we care about the hospital.

“People at Christchurch do care about their hospital and are very worried and very fearful that they are going to turn round and say one day that it is not financially possible to run an empty site.

“Nobody is willing to stand up and say what is going to happen. There’s a huge question mark hanging all over it.”

Judy Jamieson, chairman of Burton Parish Council and agent to Christchurch MP Chris Chope, who is supporting the petition, said she planned to express her concerns at the meeting.

She said: “Christchurch Hospital as far as I’m concerned is an integral part of our town. It’s very precious and we want to keep it and want it to be there for good for all residents.

“If it was closed the effect on the population would be disastrous.”