MP GAINS ASSURANCES OVER CRANLEIGH HOSPITAL

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 9th Dec 2003

Sue Doughty, MP for Guildford, and Cllr Celia Savage, Chair of Cranleigh Health Watch have gained assurances from Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust that commitments made to the new Cranleigh Hospital will be honoured. In a meeting at Cranleigh Hospital yesterday Sue Doughty and Celia Savage were given a total assurance that the closure of the hospital over Christmas and the financial problems of the PCT would not affect plans for a new hospital and health centre in Cranleigh.

After the cash strapped PCT announced that Cranleigh Hospital would close for Christmas, worried supporters of the hospital raised concerns about patient care and future plans. Sue Doughty is undertaking a full investigation into the planned patient care over the Christmas period, the impact on local NHS staff and the financial benefits of the closure.

Sue said "I am not prepared to see short cuts made in patient care, or any undermining of the well developed plans for the new Cranleigh Hospital."

Celia added "The PCT's positive statement for the future is welcome. But local people will not rest content until everything is signed up."

The impact on social services by the closure will also be taken into account. Sue said "When patients are sent home, the responsibility moves to Social Services. I will also be reviewing the impact that this decision has had on Social Services, and in particular to ensure that during the Christmas period full cover is in place to ensure that in the event of any problems developing they are picked up straight away. Health needs do not respect Christmas Holidays."