NHS in West Suffolk Launches Public Consultation ‘Modernising Healthcare in west Suffolk’

1 August 2005

A public consultation on plans for three NHS Trusts was launched today (August 1) with the aim of modernising the health service in west Suffolk and bringing it into financial balance.

The three month consultation is being led by Suffolk West Primary Care Trust, including plans for the PCT, West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership Trust. Closing date for responses is Monday, October 31, 2005.

During the consultation period the PCT will be seeking views from members of the public, patients and staff on a number of proposals around community hospitals, intermediate care, outpatient clinics, and mental health services.

Mike Stonard, newly appointed Chief Executive of Suffolk West Primary Care Trust, said: “This public consultation we have launched today is two fold. The consultation document we have prepared sets out our plans and why we want and have to do things differently to ensure the future of good quality health services in west Suffolk. It hopefully will allay some concerns, take away any misconception or misrepresentations and paint a picture of the type of service we want to create. 

“Secondly, it is about getting the views of members of the public so that we can get a better understanding of their thoughts and concerns so that we can make more informed decisions on the future of our services.”

Chris Bown, Chief Executive of West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, said: “We have issued a single consultation paper to ensure that people can see the whole picture and how services are inter-related. We welcome all views and these views will be discussed by all three NHS Trust Boards before final decisions are made.”

Mark Halladay, Chief Executive of Suffolk Mental Health Partnership Trust, said: “Today marks the beginning of an important three-month consultation during which we hope to have the views from everyone involved in health services in the community from members of the public, patients, staff, clinicians, local politicians and patient user groups. This will help us when we come to make a decision on the future of our services.”

A copy of the full consultation document can be found on the Suffolk West PCT website by following the link: http://www.suffolkwest-pct.nhs.uk/scripts/default.asp?site_id=127&id=11575

 For a hard copy contact:

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Suffolk West Primary Care Trust
Thingoe House
Cotton Lane
Bury St Edmunds IP33 1YJ

The document will also be sent in the next few weeks to key stakeholders and groups including local councils, patient groups, local MPs, other NHS Trusts, and voluntary groups.