League of Friends will fight to retain services in Ludlow
Services must remain at a town's hospital its League of Friends has said, and a "spirited defence" will be launched if they come under threat.
Ludlow Hospital's League of Friends has weighed into a debate over the future of services at Ludlow Hospital, as fears circulate about the outcome of the NHS Future Fit review.
The League has written to Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to say previous public consultations have shown healthcare needs to be delivered close to home, and such historical data should be taken into consideration as part of the review.
Peter Corfield, chair of the League, has asked that data gathered during and after a consultation in 2006, when Ludlow Hospital was threatened with closure, should be looked at again as part of the Future Fit study, as it confirms health care needs in and around the town.
He said: "Our vision and commitment to a vibrant community hospital in Ludlow, delivering care locally, is immovable."
He said fears over the future of services at the hospital may have been raised by the assertion that there was a "case for making significant change" at hospitals like Ludlow.
Mr Corfield said: "We have highlighted the views of 6,700 local residents who responded to The League in 2006 opposing the planned closure of Ludlow Hospital and, in addition, giving a very clear indication of the type of services that were needed locally.
"This all confirms that the residents of south west Shropshire seek more of their healthcare needs to be delivered closer to home, either in (Ludlow) Hospital, GP surgeries or at home in the community."
He said in the meantime the League and Shropshire Community Health Trust still planned more improvements at the hospital, including the introduction of ultrasound scanning at Ludlow and a birthing pool - but only if a midwife-led unit was to remain there long-term.
"However, we have drawn Shropshire Community Health Trust's attention to the paucity of facilities and clinics at Ludlow Hospital - compared with those at Bridgnorth, Whitchurch and Tenbury community hospitals - and the strength of feeling within our membership that would result in a spirited defence should any of the Ludlow facilities come under threat," he said.
A spokesman for Shropshire CCG said: "We were delighted to receive the very useful synopsis of the work completed over the years by the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends and impressed by the level of commitment and strength of feeling it demonstrates the people of Ludlow and south west Shropshire have for their community hospital.
"We have invited members of the League of Friends to meet with us to discuss their work in more detail and to share some of the processes involved in the Future Fit work."
He said the CCG had agreed to share the League's work with the Future Fit engagement team who would welcome their "insight, experience and expertise".
A public workshop on the Future Fit review will be held in Ludlow Assembly Rooms on September 23 from 10am to 2pm.
