Press
release 24th October 2008
Stakeholder
group stalls
Despite
our best intentions NHSiL has now withdrawn from participation
in the discussions on the future of St. John’s
Hospital. The situation is even more disappointing when
you think that this group was set up under the auspices
of the Cabinet Secretary. Perhaps we should be asking
what she thinks of the current impasse?
The
Council has been criticised by the Chair of NHSiL for
wasting council taxpayers money by engaging an independent
consultant to examine the best way forward for our hospital.
As can be seen elsewhere on this website, they have
no grounds for such an accusation, and they certainly
do not hold the moral high ground on this issue.
What
is particularly surprising is the volte face of the
Chair of NHSiL on this issue. It is clearly minuted
that he suggested that in the absence of a consensus
on this matter, one option would be for the Council
to progress the commissioning of any third-party examination
of alternative visions for the future of St John’s
Hospital out with the Group, and feed back information
from this process through the Councillors who were members.
We have exercised that option, and now they want to
re-write history.
The
public have been contacting us since Monday’s
meeting was cancelled, and the media are now carrying
letters from disgruntled residents who turned up for
the meeting only to be met with disappointment and a
wall of silence. This is not acceptable in our democracy,
more so when we are accountable, and yet not the cause
of the problem.
We
would urge those who truly care about community engagement,
consultation and representation to bring pressure on
those who make decisions within the Executive structure
of NHSiL. Unless, and until, they realise their place
in the food chain, we will be stalled for quite some
time.
Related
News items
Newly
formed St. John's Hospital Stakeholder Group
NHSiL
loses parking barrier planning appeal after massive
spend of taxpayers money
Contact
for Press enquiries:
Councillor
Gordon Beurskens - Tel: 01506 774025 / 07769 878 222
