Reopen site (From Penarth Times)

Reopen site

YOUR report recently that Sully Hospital 'should be reopened' was fine, but confused one key point in my argument. It was a formal decision by Bro Taf Health Authority's Board on September 20, 2002, that the "Sully Hospital site will be considered as one option in the review of rehabilitation services".

But at the end of 2001 the officials shelved the report from this review - this action it was that amounted to betrayal of the September 2000 decision. Assurances in the May 2000 consultation document and at the public meetings in July 2000 were also betrayed, that a dozen alternative health and social service uses for the hospital would be considered.

When Cardiff and Vale's Stephen Harries addressed a public meeting in Sully village, he said nothing about those options. Last summer he excused his advertising the hospital for sale (while the rehab bed review was ongoing) by saying it was only a marketing exercise. This summer he declared the hospital is "surplus to requirements", but ignored the need to report on alternative uses (can anyone believe they considered alternatives seriously and sincerely?) and need for public consultation. Using Sully for recuperative care, needing few specialised staff and services, is a long standing proposal, argued strongly by thoracic consultant Dr Ian Campbell at public meetings and in the press in 2000.

His concern was to tackle the shortage of hospital beds for all types of patients and many senior medical staff share his solution of creating a rehab hospital.

Unfortunately, it's accountants and managers who wield power - mid-wield power - in our NHS.

Max Wallis Co-ordinator, Vale Mental Health Campaign Westbourne Road Penarth