Press Releases for 2005
NO CUTS IN HOSPITAL BEDS
24th February 2005Shepway Green Party submission to consultation: Intermediate Care Services in Shepway: moving forward.
Shepway Green Party has made its submission to the consultation on Intermediate Care Services in Shepway: moving forward.(1) This submission supports Option One offered in the consultation document, meaning that reductions in beds and services are not supported. Shepway Green Party is taking this position as the rising population of the area means cuts in access to services in the Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh area are inappropriate.
Councillor Wendy Harris (Shepway District Council) comments: "It is easy to forget that not everyone has the mobility to use even the limited and inadequate public transport that we have. Patients want to be near friends and family, and able to concentrate on getting well, not worrying about the problems others are suffering because they are ill."
Dr Hazel Dawe (Kent Green Party Campaigns Officer) adds: "Access to health care in hospitals must be maintained in Shepway, without reducing wards or beds available at present. Kent's population is rising and census evidence shows many newcomers to be mature individuals. This is likely to increase demand for in-hospital patient care for the very elderly throughout Kent in future. Other Kent hospitals, such as the William Harvey as Ashford, are under extreme pressure and would be obliged to take patients if cuts in beds take place in Shepway (or Dover) hospitals."
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FURTHER INFORMATION: Councillor Wendy Harris: 01303 266172. Contact address as above.
Notes: 1. The full submission will be available shortly at www.kentgreenparty.org.uk under Reports/Factsheets. Journalists may request a copy immediately from stevedawe at gn.apc.org or by ringing him on 01233 645167 or 07747 036192.
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