Stanground Public Consultation Meeting

Eleven members of the public attended the fourth public meeting at the Power League Centre, Stanground School, Peterborough on 11 February 2002. What the audience lacked in numbers was more than compensated for by the detailed questioning of the panel. 

Heather Barrow, ex Chairman of the CHC, chaired the panel which comprised, Local GP Chris Grant, South Peterborough Primary Care Trust Chief Executive, Dr Lise Llewellyn, Peterborough Hospitals Trust Chief Executive, Malcolm Lowe-Lauri and Project Director Chris Banks.

Accessibility of services by public transport was raised by a number of people, particularly in relation to visiting inpatients. The option of a shuttle service from the bus and train stations to the new hospital was welcomed as a possible solution but it could not solve the general lack of bus services during the late evening and at weekends.

A number of people expressed concern at the unnecessary emphasis on single rooms for inpatients preferring to be in the company of other patients.

The panel was also asked for details of the number of beds currently at the hospital, how many new beds would be provided, how realistic the plans were and could they be implemented as described. 

In reply, Project Director, Chris Banks confirmed there were about 690 beds in the two hospitals and a further 100 were included in the health investment plan. About half of the new beds would be in the hospital, with the remainder in the local health care centres.  

Great care has been taken to ensure the  developments can be achieved. The plans build on many of the initiatives and service developments that have taken place locally and which have proved to be very successful.  The two local primary care trusts fully support the plans and are including them in their funding plans for the future.