Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
MPS express worry at ‘lack of vision’
Two east Kent MPS have accused health chiefs of lacking vision in not putting Canterbury at the heart of future plans – both assuming the Trust’s “super hospital” will be in Ashford.
Canterbury’s Julian Brazier says he has “serious reservations” about the potential loss of specialist services from the city.
And Faversham and Mid Kent member Helen Whately says she is disappointed the sustainability and transformation plan makes no recommendation for a new specialist hospital in Canterbury.
Mr Brazier said: “I entirely accept there has to be radical change because the NHS and hospital trusts face huge challenges from an ageing population and as new treatments become available.
“I also fully support the idea of getting more people treated in primary care. But I have concerns about all the specialities being concentrated in Ashford, if that becomes the major site.
“I worry about the progressive slide to the William Harvey Hospi- tal, which is at the periphery of east Kent. I also have reservations about the lack of any long-term vision in the trust’s plans.
“One new major hospital in Canterbury in the centre of east Kent is the best solution. I appreciate there is currently no capital for investment, but the NHS is not always strapped for cash and it has to be worth trying to get that funding in the future.”
Mrs Whately agreed, saying she was fully behind the idea of more joinedup and efficient health care.
She said: “I’m optimistic that the plan is good enough to secure Kent and Medway over £100 million in extra funding for healthcare by 2020.
“However, I was disappointed that the proposal in the sustainability and transformation plan for east Kent does not include the option of a new specialist hospital near Canterbury.
“I want to see a bold long-term vision for east Kent hospitals – a view I have repeated to the NHS frequently since I was elected. There has to be a proper consultation on the future of hospitals, which looks at all the options, with real ambition.”