ericawatsonuk@hotmail.com <ericawatso...@hotmail.com>

Sadly and very traumatically for patients and staff the in-patients
beds of Westbury Hospital were closed on Sunday morning. Staff and
patients were given only 5 days notice and it would be difficult for
the community to envisage how the PCT could have managed the transfer
of patients in a more damaging way. One terminally ill patient was at
the very last minute allowed to stay as moving her would have been
against medical advice.However she was left there as a single patient
surrounded by empty beds and her husband descibed the situation as
heartbreaking for him.This poor lady died peacefully last night and the
community are pleased that she was able to die peacefully in the
hospital which she had supported for many many years. The distress to
her and to her family re her  proposed transfer is unmeasurable and a
disgrace to the PCT in Wiltshire.A  more measured approach by the PCT
would have left the community feeling that our health care managers had
some credibility.
The campaign group contiue to fight to retain services( and to reopen
the beds) for the health community here who have been left with one
very over worked General Practice to provide the health care for the
entire population. We are working with the community but have failed to
achieve any meaningful dialogue with the PCT whose consultation
document Pathways for Change is due out on April 7th - 3 months after
it's planned publication. WEstbury was not given the opportunity of
consultation as the hopsital has been close now.The community are very
disappointed with the HOSC who have not carried out their
responsibilities to consult with the local community or any of the
stakeholders in the town.They have agreed to meet with the stakeholders
now but "too little too late" for the Westbury beds.