John is concerned by reports that Buckingham Community Hospital is to be closed. He has written to the Chief Executive of Bucks PCT, Ed Macalister-Smith, about the matter and has stressed the importance of the Community Hospitals, particularly to patients in rural communities.

John said,

“I understand the PCT’s determination to balance its books and to reduce overspend. This should not, of course, be done at the expense of patient care and I am concerned by the rumour that all community hospitals are to be closed. Such a move will inevitably adversely affect patients, particularly in the more rural parts of the county, and will lead to the greater uptake of secondary care services.”

The Primary Care Trust has recently put the provision of medical cover at the county’s community hospitals out to tender. The constituents who have contacted John about the matter are worried that the 5 hours per week it has allocated to provide such cover will put patients at risk.