Answers sought over ‘under-used’ hospital

TOWN councillors want to confront health chiefs over what they say are forgotten promises and missed opportunities concerning Ashbourne’s hospital.

Councillor Caroline Cooper asked if the council could invite a representatives of the Primary Care Trust to a meeting, so they can be quizzed over the use of the hospital and other health issues in the area.

The Clifton Road facility was opened almost exactly 10 years ago and replaced a former workhouse in Belle Vue Road that had become the town’s hospital in the 1940s, which was also called St Oswald’s.

Councillor Cooper told members at Tuesday’s virtual meeting that there were a number of issues she wanted to address.

She said: “I put this on the agenda for the consideration of the usage of St Oswald’s Hospital, especially given the current situation.

“This is a 22-bed hospital that was built specifically when the old hospital was brought down.

“At the time of its building we were promised an A&E facility that has never happened. Xrays were going to be sent via a cable to Royal Derby Hospital for instant diagnosis, this never happened.

“We have an ambulance station that should and could be demolished. It’s never seen a lick of paint in 50 years to my knowledge.

“These elements could be placed in the hospital with two paramedics who could play the dual role of minor A&E whilst waiting for callouts.

“We can free up land for affordable homes and it could give valuable money to the NHS.

“I’d like to put these questions to a member of the Primary Care Trust. Obviously, by inviting them to a meeting to ask for some answers to the questions that I’ve raised.”

Councillor Brown was next to speak and she seconded what Councillor Cooper was proposing. Although she did point out that paramedics could not double as A&E staff as they would have a different skillset.

But, she said: “Maybe all councillors could think of a question or questions which they would like to be submitted from the chair to any person attending.

“It’s very, very much an under-used facility.

“We were promised that it was going to be a big community facility. And I think that this seems to be falling by the wayside.”