The Editor
The Gazette
BY EMAIL
Dear Sir,
Who is to blame for Hemel's Hospital downgrade?
Who is to blame for Hemel's Hospital downgrade?
The health Authority recently had the cheek to hold a celebrationcommemorating the one year anniversary of Investing in Your Health proposal under which Hemel hospital looses resources, acute accident and emergency services, children's overnight beds, full maternity services and other crucial local amenities in favour of expansions in Watford and Hatfield. We have all heard about Option 1 and Option 2 and how the option which expanded our Hemel hospital was rejected in favour of investment elsewhere, but who was it who made this decision? The Health Authority press releases make a big point of the fact that extensive public consultation took place and that 10 out of the 11 PCT's elected to downsize Hemel Hospital. The decision was made, however, not by the public, not by the PCT's, not by Parliament, not by any elected representatives at all. It was made by the Beds & Herts Strategic Health Authority, a completely unelected body appointed and controlled by the government.
This is not democracy. It defies belief that one of, if not the, largest town in the combined counties gets its hospital downgraded. From my office in Hemel Hempstead it is 1 mile to Hemel Hospital and 8.4 miles to Watford hospital. I am really concerned at the problems that will face Hemel residents if they are forced to commute in busy shopping and football traffic to Watford.
Mike Penning |
