Norfolk: Liberal Democrats call for action on Norfolk's community hospitals

11.35.11am GMT Thu 23rd Nov 2006

In response to increasing local concern about the future of much-valued community hospitals the Liberal Democrat group at Norfolk County Council has announced its plans to call for more action to be taken locally.

At the next meeting of the Council, due to take place on Monday the 27th November, deputy group leader, Paul Morse, and spokesperson for Adult Social Services, Jacky Howe, will call on councillors to agree to:

· Call on the Secretary of State for Health to intervene urgently to ensure that no community hospitals in Norfolk are forced to close as a result of financial pressure.

· Write to Norfolk PCT and the Strategic Health Authority to request:

a) that any necessary reconfiguration of local services is the subject of full and meaningful local consultation with all affected patient and community groups.

b) that a full needs analysis and risk assessment, including risk management plans, are undertaken by Norfolk PCT before decisions about closures are made in order to provide evidence that the service changes proposed are manageable.

c) that any reports produced during the exercise in clause b) above are made available to the public during consultation.

d) that if any closures are to be implemented an agreed percentage of the savings is ringfenced for investment in home support services for older people and not used to help clear the PCT's general financial deficit.

For more information please see attachment.