A PROFESSOR of nursing from Ludlow has a bleak prognosis for health care in the care.

Dr Jane Robinson expects Ludlow Hospital to close.

She was commenting following the public meeting on health care at Ludlow School.

Dr Robinson, who is 81, believes that three clear facts emerged from the meeting.

“First, following a three-year review of acute services in the county, there is little or no money left to develop community care,” she said.

"Second, any care that is developed will be based on the notion of ‘wellness’ and ‘looking after oneself’.

“Three, Community hospitals will probably close, including Ludlow.

“We have been here before. Community Health has always been a Cinderella service. But now there is an assumption that ‘80 is the new 70’ and that all older people will somehow ‘manage’ if they ‘look after themselves’.

“Ageing is ultimately inevitable and this population increases steadily, particularly in South Shropshire.”

But she said that how people get on depends largely upon how much money they have and what choices they make.

“For those with the good sense to re-locate to appropriate accommodation generally manage well, paying for ‘back-up services’ such as warden call and alarm systems,” she added.

“In emergency, an excellent paramedic service attends quickly followed by assessment and, if necessary, admission to hospital.”

But the professor of nursing said that this is not the end of the story.

“However, then comes discharge!” she added.

“Following such an episode, falls, stroke, cardiac arrest, intermediate care is essential with rehabilitation provided by experienced and, hopefully, qualified staff.

“Keeping one’s fingers crossed, and hoping that nursing homes and largely unqualified carers can meet this crucial need is likely to be a recipe for hospital readmissions, and possible future disasters.”