Council urges NHS to listen to local views on Rothbury hospital

Rothbury Community HospitalRothbury Community Hospital
Rothbury Community Hospital
Northumberland County Council is urging NHS decision-makers to listen to local views over the future of Rothbury Community Hospital.

A three-month public consultation, led by the NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), is under way to consider the fate of the ward. It runs until Tuesday, April 25.

The proposal is to permanently close the 12-bed inpatient facility and shape existing services around a Health and Wellbeing Centre on the hospital site.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Health bosses say that this could include the relocation of the GP practice, more physiotherapy services and more outpatient clinics, including possibly using video links so that patients can have a consultation with a specialist who is based at another hospital.

But objectors have described it as a huge disappointment and a short-sighted approach and accused the CCG of ignoring the heartfelt views of the community, which wants to keep the beds.

Council leader Grant Davey said: “There is clearly a great deal of concern in Rothbury and the surrounding community over these proposals.

“While the council isn’t involved in the consultation process, the health and wellbeing of all our residents is a key concern for us.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We trust decision-makers will listen carefully to the views of all those taking part in this ongoing consultation. It is an emotive issue and the outcome will have long-term consequences for people living in the area.”

News you can trust since 1854
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice