Honest hospital talk needed

ACanterbury “super hospital” may finally be on the horizon after health commissioners in east Kent announced last week that it was an option to be considered for emergency, urgent and acute hospital services.

This is something that I have long campaigned for, but there are many hurdles before this can become reality.

Years ago, our A&E department was axed; then last summer vital acute care services were moved to Ashford. I don’t want our hospital to be downgraded and eroded by stealth at a time when our city’s population is larger than ever. I promised to fight to save the K&C.

The super hospital relies on a developer’s offer to construct a £70m shell in return for being allowed to develop 2,000 houses. Planning permission still needs to be granted for this for which the Local Plan would need to be reviewed and extended.

The city council will have to act fast, or the plan will fail on their watch.

Indeed, some of the land proposed for this hospital and houses is already council land, known as Ridlands Farm.

This was bought in the 1970s, when Labour and the Lib Dems ran the council, specifically for building social housing. I am adamant that if Ridlands is used for the hospital and the proposed private housing, then the council should also identify an equal- sized portion plot for wholly social housing. Then, instead of sitting on it for decades, they should build on it to help ease the pressures of hundreds of residents waiting for suitable housing.

Secondly, we need to be assured that the outcomes for emergency, acute and urgent treatment would not be harmed for anyone in east Kent if such a big hospital were to be sited here at the expense of A&ES in Ashford and Margate.

The other option is for two east Kent hospitals to have 24/7 A&E departments, but for only one to have the full range of specialist services. I am concerned that stroke patients from Thanet might have to travel to Ashford. A person living in Broadstairs, for example, is even on a good day a 50-minute drive from William Harvey Hospital, making treatment within the “golden hour” unlikely.

For those in Thanet, a super hospital in Canterbury, with much reduced journey times compared with going to Ashford, could make a lot of sense.

We need honest and forthright discussions about health outcomes in east Kent and how outcomes, not finances, can dictate need. I only want a super hospital if this really is better for everyone. I will continue to fight for the K&C and welcome emails and letters from constituents. Please let me know what you think.