MP raises fears on £27m Ludlow hospital plan

MP Philip Dunne today warned Ludlow could lose its new £27 million hospital if GP surgeries are blocked from relocating outside the town centre.

The Ludlow MP said plans for the hospital east of the A49 on Ludlow Eco Park incorporate two GP practices currently based in the centre of town.

Mr Dunne has claimed if this move is blocked the whole hospital could be put in jeopardy.

His comments come after local campaign group, Save a Ludlow Town Surgery, collected 300 signatures against the Station Drive and Portcullis Lane surgery relocation.

SALT claim moving the surgeries east would disadvantage elderly and disabled residents living in the centre of town.

Mr Dunne said: "There has been much debate, in recent weeks, about the consequences of plans by the NHS to upgrade primary healthcare facilities for local residents.

"I want to make my views clear and to explain some of the key facts, which are at risk of being obscured.

"In 2005 the then Primary Care Trust made a serious proposal to close Ludlow Community Hospital. In the event it closed the mental health ward, but kept the remainder of the hospital open.

"But the fundamental problem remains that the hospital buildings are no longer suitable for meeting modern healthcare needs of the local community.

"If not improved there will be continuous pressure in the future as clinical demands and regulatory pressures rise, to close the hospital or cutback its services."

Mr Dunne added the two GP surgeries in Ludlow both operate out of buildings "at the limit of their capacity" and are regarded by the PCT as not fit to provide state-of-the-art healthcare.

"I have explained to those leading the last minute campaign to preserve a surgery in the town centre that their actions are high risk", said Mr Dunne.

Joyce Brand, who is spearheading the SALT campaign, said the group have no objections to the hospital proposal itself but added moving both surgeries was unacceptable.