Cranleigh Hospital fiasco leaves me with no confidence in PCT says Doughty

10.51.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Jun 2009

Following an angry meeting between Surrey Primary Care Trust and Cranleigh Residents to discuss the future of Health Care in Surrey, Sue Doughty said "I have no confidence in the ability of the PCT to deliver their proposals in a way which will meet local needs or their proposed timescale. At every point the Chief Executive has failed to answer reasonable questions asked and his professional team seem to be at a loss to explain how their proposals would work in practice in Cranleigh."

A former project manager, responsible for complex multi million pound investments, Sue has been shocked at the whole plan which has suffered endless delays throughout with protracted consultations on health care but which is now heading towards a public consultation and decision to be taken in December, and omits any consideration of the proposed new Cranleigh Village Hospital, or the need for in patient beds within the local community.

Chief Executive Chris Butler proposes to complete the consultation process at the same time as seeking planning permission to demolish the modern part of the existing Cranleigh Village Hospital which is a listed building. Sue said "The Chief executive was unable to give realistic answers to my questions about the feasibility of the time scale he is proposing. In my opinion it will take some time to get planning permission from Waverley Borough Council should this work take place on the existing surgery site.

Although professional staff outlined how local people are to be cared for if they suffer major falls, and indeed at the end of life, residents pointed out that this is very different from the real experience of Cranleigh people who would be expected to make long and difficult journeys to Farnham and Haslemere for their own care, and to visit friends and family. The Chair of Age Concern Waverley has also raised the issue of the increased load that they are taking up due to the closure of beds in Cranleigh.

Sue said "There seem to be no reality checks at all in the PCT's plans. To ignore the long term, practical plans which have been in place for a new hospital and health centre on a different site is typical of this PCT which seems to spend its days in offices rather than engaging with the substantial expertise in Cranleigh. We cannot have people who are vulnerable shuttled off miles away from family and friends and given the existing plans which Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust already have in place this need not happen. The PCT must, as a matter of urgency, get together with the CVHT and put together a plan to move forward."