ffinlo Costain

News Release Archive
News Office number: 07834 754 456

NEWS RELEASE 6

VICTORY IN SIGHT FOR SAVE DODDINGTON HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN

ffinlo Costain today welcomed the South Fenland Service Review, Final Consultation Document. “This document is the result of the concerted efforts of the people of Fenland. We have shown the Primary Care Trust boss Audrey Bradford that we want to keep our hospital, and want our hospital made better. Audrey has been listening, and our No Audrey! logo has become a Thanks Audrey! logo – at least for the time being.”

Speaking at a packed meeting in Wimblington’s Thomas Eaton School last night, ffinlo praised the Primary Care Trust for responding positively to public pressure. But he warned, “this is still just the beginning of the consultation process. The PCT seems to have accepted that it will have to upgrade the current Doddington site despite its previous stated desire to do the opposite. However, there are still other options on the table, and they have extended the consultation period to 10 weeks. They could change their minds again.

“While I welcome much of the Final Consultation Document, I am still deeply concerned by many aspects, especially the wish to sell of land considered surplus to “maximise the money coming into the NHS.” Selling off land for short-term gain is unthinkable to me. The job of the PCT is to provide an excellent service for all patients now, and to plan to provide excellent services for all patients in the future. Ask any farmer and they will tell you – your land is your greatest asset – get rid of it at your peril.”

Dr. John Szekely, the Chatteris GP who co-founded the campaign said, “We are asking people to keep up the pressure. This is still just the start. Even though we have made a massive breakthrough in forcing the PCT to think again and to consult properly, we still have a lot of work to do. I hope people will fill in the questionnaires given out by the PCT, and will also continue to write letters to Audrey Bradford. Signing the petitions is also crucially important. Audrey is the one who will make the final decision – letters should be addresses to her – but sent via George Clare Surgery so that we can deliver them all together.”

For an initial response to the Final Consultation Document, by the Save Doddington Hospital campaign - please click here

For more information please call ffinlo on a
new phone number: 07834 754 456

What can people do?

Sign the petitions which are in GP surgeries. (Currently, Chatteris...)
Write postcard or letter to the campaign at George Clare Surgery - we need full postbags to show PCT bosses how people feel.
E-mail the campaign with your message of support - SAVE@savedoddingtonhospital.org
Write to Audrey Bradford, PCT boss, (c/o George Clare Surgery) to tell her what you think of the plan. (Please mark your envelope, Save Doddington Hospital - or just SDH) Write to your local papers with your views.
All campaign materials and sample letters are available on-line at www.savedoddingtonhospital.org

For more information:
E-mail: SAVE@savedoddingtonhospital.org
Web: www.savedoddingtonhospital.org
No Audrey

Phone: 01354 694 992 (ffinlo's number)
Press number: 07834 754 456

News Release Archive News Office number: 07834 754 456 NEWS RELEASE 6 VICTORY IN SIGHT FOR SAVE DODDINGTON HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN ffinlo Costain today welcomed the South Fenland Service Review, Final Consultation Document. “This document is the result of the concerted efforts of the people of Fenland. We have shown the Primary Care Trust boss Audrey Bradford that we want to keep our hospital, and want our hospital made better. Audrey has been listening, and our No Audrey! logo has become a Thanks Audrey! logo – at least for the time being.” Speaking at a packed meeting in Wimblington’s Thomas Eaton School last night, ffinlo praised the Primary Care Trust for responding positively to public pressure. But he warned, “this is still just the beginning of the consultation process. The PCT seems to have accepted that it will have to upgrade the current Doddington site despite its previous stated desire to do the opposite. However, there are still other options on the table, and they have extended the consultation period to 10 weeks. They could change their minds again. “While I welcome much of the Final Consultation Document, I am still deeply concerned by many aspects, especially the wish to sell of land considered surplus to “maximise the money coming into the NHS.” Selling off land for short-term gain is unthinkable to me. The job of the PCT is to provide an excellent service for all patients now, and to plan to provide excellent services for all patients in the future. Ask any farmer and they will tell you – your land is your greatest asset – get rid of it at your peril.” Dr. John Szekely, the Chatteris GP who co-founded the campaign said, “We are asking people to keep up the pressure. This is still just the start. Even though we have made a massive breakthrough in forcing the PCT to think again and to consult properly, we still have a lot of work to do. I hope people will fill in the questionnaires given out by the PCT, and will also continue to write letters to Audrey Bradford. Signing the petitions is also crucially important. Audrey is the one who will make the final decision – letters should be addresses to her – but sent via George Clare Surgery so that we can deliver them all together.” For an initial response to the Final Consultation Document, by the Save Doddington Hospital campaign - please click here For more information please call ffinlo on a new phone number: 07834 754 456 What can people do? Sign the petitions which are in GP surgeries. (Currently, Chatteris...) Write postcard or letter to the campaign at George Clare Surgery - we need full postbags to show PCT bosses how people feel. E-mail the campaign with your message of support - SAVE@savedoddingtonhospital.org Write to Audrey Bradford, PCT boss, (c/o George Clare Surgery) to tell her what you think of the plan. (Please mark your envelope, Save Doddington Hospital - or just SDH) Write to your local papers with your views. All campaign materials and sample letters are available on-line at www.savedoddingtonhospital.org For more information: E-mail: SAVE@savedoddingtonhospital.org Web: www.savedoddingtonhospital.org Phone: 01354 694 992 (ffinlo's number) Press number: 07834 754 456	LINKS TO OTHER PAGES: SDH home page News Release 1 News Release 2 News Release 3 News Release 4 News Release 5 PCT Info Sample letters to newspapers Sample letter to PCT Petition form Poster for your window Leaflet for friends Useful addresses Noticeboard
HOSTED BY FFINLO COSTAIN - PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE FOR NORTH EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE Promoted by ffinlo Costain, N. E. Cambridgeshire Labour Party, 75, West Street, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. PE16 6HR