Final Public Consultation Meeting

The final public consultation meeting took place at the Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough on 6 March 2002. Following a formal presentation over 50 people took part in a wide ranging discussion on local health services, access issues and the private finance imitative.

Questions were raised on the provision of neurology services for ME sufferers and people with head injuries. There was some concern that support for these patients was not adequate and the development of the service should be included in the health investment plan.

The care of head injury patients was the subject of a national review in the 1990s. In 1999 the Royal College of Surgeons made a number of recommendations for improvements to the service and the need to provide more appropriate follow-up care. 

This resulted in the local development of a Head Injury Clinic based in the Accident and Emergency Department. The Community Neurology Rehab Team also provides active support to these patients.  

The problems of public transport services in the city and inadequate bus services to the Edith Cavell Hospital were a concern for those who live around the city centre and do not have access to private transport. Questions were also asked about the proposed 'Health Hopper' service. Would it be provided by the local bus company and would the City Council be expected to help subsidise the service?

The 'Health Hopper' service would be provided and managed by the health service not local bus companies. It would run from the Queensgate bus station and rail station direct to the Edith Cavell Hospital, perhaps four or five times an hour. Whether there would be a charge for the service in not know at this stage. 

Local bus companies would also be give every encouragement to increase the number and frequency of services to the Edith Cavell site. This would be an added benefit to the public, but not the sole means of public access to the site.

About a third of those attending the meeting were members of the union Unison. They strongly objected to the plan to use the private finance initiative to build the new hospital.

They also expressed concerns over the ability of the private sector to meet the building standards and quality of service required by the health service.

Members of the public and Unison question the panel on the health investment plan

The public consultation process is about the plan to invest in new primary care services, introduce new health care centres and move all hospital services in Peterborough onto a single site. It is not about the private finance initiative (PFI).

PFI is government policy and the health service is required to follow this policy when planning to build new hospitals and other health buildings.

Only if the private sector can provide and maintain the buildings to the required standard and at a lower overall cost, including risks, will the local Trusts be allowed to sign a contact.