One step closer for new Ludlow hospital build (From Ludlow Advertiser)
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One step closer for new Ludlow hospital build
8:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Adrian Kibbler
PLANS for a palliative unit at the new Ludlow Hospital for the families of people approaching the end of their lives are ahead of target.
Volunteers are making good progress in raising the £200,000 needed for the unit that was not part of the original NHS scheme.
But the concern is that there will actually be a new hospital in which to put the unit.
As previously reported, the hospital is on hold while attempts are made to secure the reassurances needed by the private sector funder before they will sign on the dotted line and stump up the £27 million.
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has met with health minister Dr Dan Poluter in a bid to find a way around the blockage.
Jo Chambers, chief executive of the Shropshire Community NHS Trust, project manager Martin Davies from Provex and Mike Leto, from the project developer Amber met with the minister and officials from the Department of Health.
“We had a thoroughly constructive meeting and the minister confirmed his desire to help resolve the outstanding contractual issue which has been holding up funding ar rangements,”
said Mr Dunne.
“I am hopeful this will be resolved within the next few weeks. If so building work should be able to commence after Easter.
Peter Corfield, chairman of the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, which led the campaign for the facility, said he was pleased that the meeting went well but will not be satisfied until a firm commitment is made.
“I remain hopeful and it seems it was positive.”
He said the planned relative suites at the hospital would provide somewhere for relatives to stay close to loved ones during a period of intensive palliative treatment or in the final days and hours of their lives.
“There will be two suites both with twin beds, a lounge and a kitchenette as well as a separate meeting room.”
Jo Chambers from the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust was also upbeat.
“The new Ludlow facility will hugely improve the range of health services that we can of fer across south Shropshire, so I am very pleased to have contributed to a positive meeting and I am optimistic that this will help us resolve the final contract stage so we can start work on the site,”
she said.
