Council Objects to Plans for Heatherwood Hospital

The Royal Borough has made it clear that the council will fight to retain high quality services and accommodation at Ascot’s Heatherwood Hospital and is making a strong objection to any change in the protected status of the site.

The hospital looks set to reduce in size as part of NHS Berkshire East’s plans to make savings of more than £50 million but the council says it is ‘gravely concerned’ about proposals to change the use of part of the site. This would mean services would be moved to a smaller part of the site and, the council believes, would be reduced in size.

 The site is protected for the provision of some of the hospital’s services and the trust has served notice that it wants to remove that status. However, the Royal Borough has lodged an objection and asked for further information.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for adult and community services, said: “We fully understand the trust’s need to make savings but we would expect any proposals to be discussed in full with the Royal Borough.

“Heatherwood is part of the fabric of our local community, much respected and well used over many years by our residents. Our fear is that the overriding requirement to cut costs will result in a reduced, less effective service for local people – and that is something the Royal Borough will fight to prevent.

“We are particularly worried about the proposal to remove the legal protection from the site which would open it up for other uses and potentially jeopordise the future of the hospital.

“We want to meet with the trust to talk about their proposals and make sure they appreciate  that any changes must be in full consultation with the council and that we expect a high quality range of NHS patient services to continue to be provided on the existing site.”

The proposals for a smaller Heatherwood are part of the trust’s Turnaround Financial plan to make the £50 million savings over the next three years.

Cllr Dudley added: “I am calling for a meeting with the trust as a matter of urgency to ensure they understand the council’s position in fighting for our residents’ rights to quality hospital services in appropriate accommodation and with a secure future.”