GP beds at risk in Much Wenlock – update 1

This is the first update on my campaign to maintain the GP beds at the Lady Forester Nursing Home in Much Wenlock.

I will have a meeting with Prof Rod Thomson, Shropshire Council’s Director of Public Health, this week. I have a meeting scheduled next week with Philip Dunne MP. I have put a paper to Much Wenlock Town Council (of which I am a member) asking that this be considered at their meeting on 1st September – at 7:00pm in the Guildhall. Specifically, I am proposing:

1. The Town Council considers its position on the potential closure of the GP beds facility and
2. The Town Council considers what action it will take to support the maintenance of the GP beds and any other actions in respect of the CCG’s financial challenges and
3. The Town Council delegates authority to the Town Clerk and/or others to ensure that its aims are met.

I have written to David Evans, Accountable Officer of the CCG, setting out my opposition to the proposed sacrifice of the GP beds and asking to meet him.

I have written a letter to the Bridgnorth Journal with a similar message. I’m hoping that the Bridgnorth Journal will be running stories on this in the next week.

I am expecting to speak on BBC Radio Shropshire tomorrow morning at 08:15 on the Eric Smith and Clare Ashford breakfast programme on BBC Radio Shropshire tomorrow morning.

I have visited the Lady Forester Nursing Home to update myself on the current developments – a lot has taken place since English Care acquired the home in 2010.

I understand that the League of Friends have placed a petition in a number of shops in Much Wenlock and the medical practice, and it is receiving considerable support.