Mayor Dave Hodgson Slams 'Devastating' Hospital Downgrade Plans

Having warned for well over a year of NHS Commissioners' plans to downgrade Bedford Hospital via the current health review, Mayor Dave Hodgson has attacked the 'devastating' proposals for the Hospital's future which have been revealed this week.

The plans, which will be subject to public consultation in the autumn, present three likely options for the future of the hospital, with each of them representing a major reduction in key hospital services locally. One of the three options will feature, in the words of the Commissioners, 'no beds on site', and will be a daytime, GP-led centre.

Commenting, Mayor Dave said: "NHS Commissioners simply have no concept of the devastating effect this downgrade would have on our community. Even as someone who has warned throughout this process of the agenda to impose a severe downgrade on our hospital, I am shocked by the degree to which Commissioners are prepared to dismantle local hospital services.'

"Bedford Borough is growing and Bedford Hospital is rated very highly by the health services watchdog, the CQC. Yet we face the prospect of local residents having to travel long distances to access vital services, at lower-rated hospitals.'

"Quite simply, we are facing the end of Bedford Hospital as we know it. We have to fight this as a community every step of the way, because it is a battle we simply cannot afford to lose."

Mayor Dave has encouraged all those concerned about the future of Bedford Hospital to add their name to the Save Bedford Hospital petition, which can be found at www.savebedfordhospital.org.uk/