News

FOLKESTONE HOSPITAL MAY BE SOLD

Shepway Lib Dems have slammed news today that the main building of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone may be sold. 

They claim that  despite repeated promises by NHS Trust managers that services were secure at the hospital, the sell-off will lead to the transfer of more key services to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

The statement by the East Kent Hospitals Trust says: "East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust is considering putting the old Victorian building that forms part of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Folkestone, up for sale - a move that would save the Trust £1.2 million a year.

"The building has not been used for inpatient wards for over a year, and is costing the Trust £1.2 million a year to own, maintain, clean and heat - money that could be better spent o­n patient care. Director of Facilities Howard Jones has met with the Chief Planner of Shepway District Council to discuss the planning situation."

Shepway Lib Dems campaigned against the previous ward closures at the hospital, and warned at that time that the ward closures could threaten the future of the hospital.

Lynne Beaumont, Leader of the Lib Dem Group o­n Shepway District Council commented o­n hearing the news: "This is exactly why the Lib Dems campaigned so hard against the closure of the in-patient wards to begin with.

"The Trust's own consultation document o­n the closure of in-patient wards in 2004 makes no mention of selling the main building. Indeed, that consultation says 'The aim is to ensure that as part of health service provision in Shepway, the Royal Victoria Hospital is developed as a vibrant local o­ne-stop health and social care site'. Which part of closing the largest part of the hospital helps its development as a 'vibrant local o­ne-stop health and social care site'?

"This sell-off plan is a disgrace and a betrayal."

Toby Philpott, Shepway Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman said: "The local Lib Dems will do all in our power to fight this threat and ensure that local people can still get hospital treatment in Shepway."