Campaigners fear ward closure will reduce hospital to clinic

They have handed over a letter of protest to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust in response to news that an elderly care ward at Wharfedale Hospital, Otley, may be axed.

The letter, from the Support Wharfedale Hospital Campaign, urges the trust to ensure that the ward, which campaigners says is the only ward caring for older people, is run by the NHS and continues to serve local people, ideally offering care for elderly patients.

It is facing an uncertain future as Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust tries to save £60m this year.

Protesters have expressed their concern at what they say is a lack of public talks ahead of the decision to place the future of the Ward One under review. They want to ensure it remains as an overnight NHS ward and they say that if this does not happen the hospital will in reality be little more than an outpatient clinic.

Greg Mulholland, Leeds North West MP, said: “It is hugely concerning for both the residents of Otley, as well as staff at the hospital, that Ward 1 at Wharfedale Hospital could be set to close.

“People in and around Otley fought tooth and nail to save their hospital and were promised a genuine hospital, including in-patient care for local people.

“If Ward 1 goes, then the fear is the hospital will be little more than a glorified clinic, which is not what people campaigned for and local people will simply not stand for that,” Mr Mulholland added.

The Wharfedale Hospital was officially opened by the Princess Royal in 2005 but since it opened there have been a number of concerns raised about its future.

Just a year after it opened, questions were being asked about whether the Private Finance Initiative-funded building would close, while in 2006 a row broke out when the Leeds hospitals trust closed a ward there. In 2007, 5,000 people signed a petition demanding no more cuts there.

Former Otley GP, Coun Graham Kirkland, who is now a member of Leeds City Council said: “Having been a GP for 35 years I know all the people in the Otley district will be devastated. It will be extremely distressing for people from Otley to have to travel to Leeds for treatment.”

Charlie McEwan, local NHS campaigner said: “This is our local hospital. It should offer jobs for local people and

“It should serve the needs of the local community. They should be investing in the facilities so recently rebuilt or at the very least retaining what there is.

“If we lose this ward I fear the days of this as an NHS hospital are numbered.”

Pam Gill, Otley Town councillor, added: “Hopefully Ward 1 at Wharfedale Hospital will remain open. We do not want to see any further cuts at the hospital. If cuts like this continue we may no longer have a hospital.”

Coun Ryk Downes, a member of Leeds City Council said: “It’s about maintaining local services for the most vulnerable members of society.

“I hope the trust take on board the concerns that have been raised by the Support Wharfedale Hospital Campaign and will look again at their decision.

“It is so important they show a willingness to listen to local residents who have made clear their opposition to its closure.”

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust earlier said: “We have determined that the current level of service we provide for older adults can be maintained without using the ward.

“We do, however, recognise how highly regarded Wharfedale Hospital is in the local community and have therefore been working with other organisations in health and social care to determine whether there is an alternative use for the ward which would enable it to stay open.

“These discussions will be concluded by the end of May.”

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