31 October 2009
Reg Hansell:
Reg Hansell has been at the forefront of the campaign for a hospital for Dover since it began. Doug Tutton has worked with Reg all this time and Mr Tutton was asked to sit in on the high level committee meeting last friday and gave the presentation you see below. It is long with many points, but a bracing cup of strong coffee should get most of us through the complexity. It is at odds with some sections of the community who want the hospital in Central Dover.Many thanks to Reg Hansell himself for sending this presentation to us earlier today which he feels may throw some light on earlier postings.
Would be interesting to hear any further comments that people want to make below. I know we already have had large debates on the topic but as this shows the other side of the argument Members might like to comment further. PB
The picture shows Conservative Shadow Minister Andrew Lansley on the left hand side and Conservative Candidate for Dover/Deal Charlie Elphicke on the right. In the centre is well-known campaigner Reg Hansell.
We've carried Charlie's thoughts on the hospital previously.
Below:The Complete Presentation made by Doug Tutton. Fully supported by Reg Hansell.
The population of Dover District make up approx, 15% of the patients served by the PCT and EKHT.
We need to remind ourselves that today is about finding a solution to enable patients to have easily accessible Health Provisions locally.
It would appear that this priority has been downgraded to one of the regeneration of the centre of Dover! A very worthwhile project but not one that justifies a lot of misleading information – massive delays and even the potential loss of the Hospital facility.
· On 5th Sept 2008
the KCC HOSC was persuaded to support the Mid-Town site. Flooding issues were raised but DDC spokesman stated that the flood risk was 1 in 100 years.
· Based on what facts, I have no idea. On DDC’s own website it showed flooding on the Mid-Town site in 2003 & 2007(Talks with Bowling club members revealed that it flooded 3 times in 2007).
· On 17TH Sept 2008 the PCT held a Board meeting to decide the hospital site. At it I raised the flooding issue and asked why the Env Agency had not been consulted until the 1st Sept (They had until 22nd Sept to reply i.e. after the meeting).
· The meeting ignored the flood risk after the DDC spokesman said there was none!!
· As the KCC had approved the site so did the PCT
· 29th Sept 2008 Tim Ingleton of DDC emails the Env. Agency to say ‘ I took a call late on Friday morning from the PCT indicating that the Hospital Trust Board on Friday agreed the Mid-Town Site for the new Community Hospital. It is therefore imperative that a solution to the Env. Agency concern is achieved’.
· 22nd Sept 2008 Env. Agency produces Flood Risk Assessment Mid-Town Dover. Site not suitable for a Hospital ‘Part of the site to be classified as Flood Zone 3b(a functional flood plain) Regeneration of the site should be restricted to less vulnerable uses ‘
· 5th Jan 2009 I wrote to all 45 DD councillors with the Env. Agency report of the 22nd Sept requesting them to ask questions.
· 21st Jan 2009 Press release from INTERSERVE saying that they had been awarded 20milliom contract for hospital on mid-Town site. No mention of intermediate care beds as requested by the Public and GP’s Consortium
· 29th Jan 2009 Received letter from DDC Councillor (dated the 28th Jan) stating ‘At the meeting of the Council yesterday we were informed that following discussions the Env. Agency has withdrawn objections and consequently the Council can move forward with the planning application.’
The Env. Agency told me that they had done no such thing when I rang them.
· 16th March 2009 Government Office of the South East held meeting with interested parties – made clear by the Env. Agency that the Mid-Town site was not suitable for a hospital.
· 19th October 2009 Dover Hospital Meeting Churchill Hotel.
At long last the Env. Agency. PCT. the EKHT and DDC told some members of the public their current positions.
The Env. Agency spelt out very clearly that as the Mid-Town site is likely to flood from 3 different sources it would oppose any application for a Hospital on the site. The rectification of the flood risks would be very difficult and likely to significantly increase the risk of flooding to adjacent properties. The cost and time scale of such work was unknown.
Despite this DDC still championed the Mid-Town site.
The PCT put forward 2 new sites – the Old Buckland Paper Mill and the Charlton Green Sorting Office.
This then gave a choice of 3 sites out of 5 that are identified by the Env. Agency as at risk of flooding!
Today we must kick these 3 sites into touch.
The EKHT said that the budget to build the Hospital would disappear if a start were not made soon!!
I understand following the Local Development Framework submitted to the Inspector last week that the Hospital has been removed from the Mid-Town site proposals. This appears to leave the Dover Hospital in a precarious position.
· Buckland Hospital site is earmarked for housing
· Three other sites in flood risk - zone
· DDC appears to be in opposition to any site in Whitfield – this was requested by the Public at various Town Hall meetings due to easy access from the town. Rural communities – good parking & room for expansion.
So it would appear that in the New Development Framework that there is no realistic provision for a new Hospital site.
Two years have been wasted on this saga.
So would you please put your heads together for a working solution preferably by the end of this year.
I suggest the following:
That the PCT ensures
1. That the GPs consortium commission plans be adhered to (this includes a small number of intermediate step up step down beds in or adjacent to the new Hospital)
2. That both Buckland Hospital & a site at Whitfield be identified as being suitable for a Hospital and put in the Development Framework – in order to speed up any planning applications.
3. That the EKHT evaluates these sites as a matter of urgency and places a planning application before Easter 2010.
4. That DDC and the PCT should support the site chosen by the Hospital Trust and do everything in its power to ensure a speedy start.
5. That any plans for the building of the Hospital on any site, identified by the Env. Agency as at risk of flooding be abandoned as of today
D V Tutton
30th October 2009
