News Release

7th November 2001

MEETING WITH HEALTH MINISTER, LORD HUNT

Michael Fabricant and nine councillors and charity workers from Lichfield and Burntwood met with Lord Hunt of Kings Heath at 4pm today (6th November) at the Department of Health in Whitehall to discuss plans to reduce hospital services in Lichfield and Burntwood. "Everyone attending was able to put their point of view across to the Minister and he realised that people in Lichfield and Burntwood are united in opposition to the cut in services that are being proposed" says Michael Fabricant. "This opposition cuts across any Party divides. For example, Councillor Peter Barrett, the Leader of the Labour Group on Lichfield City Council, pointed out that the Health Authority had made no reference to area structure plans which show a 30% increase in population over the coming years. I added that with such a population increase, we should not be considering any cuts in services". The Minister and civil servants were present and Michael Fabricant was promised that the Minister of Health, John Hutton, will write with the Governments conclusions in a few weeks time.

As well as Michael Fabricant who lead the delegation, representing Burntwood Town Council was Cllr Joe Brown; representing Lichfield City Council were Cllr Tony Thompson, Cllr Mrs Fiona Royle, and Cllr Peter Barrett; representing Lichfield District Council was Cllr Jill Dunsmore; representing Hammerwich Hospital League of Friends were Ron Jones - Chairman, John Wright - Treasurer; and representing Lichfield Hospital Comforts Fund Committee were Mrs Paddy Land, and Mrs Dorothy Godfrey.

Cllr Jill Dunsmore and Cllr Joe Brown both expressed concern over the amount of money that has been earmarked for the new hospital. Given that this includes the cost of demolition of existing buildings, there is considerable concern that there is insufficient money being made available. There is also concern that the sale of land on the existing hospital sites in Lichfield and Burntwood would be seized by the Treasury and not be reinvested for health care in the area. The Minister was unable to answer this point. Meanwhile, the three Burntwood representatives were deeply concerned that no in-patient nor out-patient services are to be kept in Burntwood. It was pointed out that public transport between Burntwood and the proposed hospital at St Michael's in Lichfield is inadequate.

Other matters discussed in the 40 minute meeting included: (1) the number of beds available in Lichfield and Burntwood (it was pointed out that the amount "up to 52" is meaningless. There are 52 beds already); (2) the proposal to move Day Surgery away from Lichfield is unacceptable; (3) the long-term future of the Maternity Unit is still in doubt and that too is unacceptable to the people of Lichfield; and (4) there is doubt as to whether there is sufficient room for future hospital expansion and car parking at the proposed Lichfield site (St Michael's) and whether sufficient funds have been allocated for the necessary road widening that will also be necessary.

Finally, Michael Fabricant pointed out that the Prime Minister had stated his desire to achieve 'local agreement' over health provision in Lichfield and Burntwood. "This has not been achieved" Michael Fabricant told the Lord Hunt. "You can see this by the strength of feeling of this delegation and by the Health Authority's own report which confirms that the majority of people responding oppose these plans to reduce hospital services in Lichfield and Tamworth."