Southport CARES for children
Public Open Letter to:
Mark Winstanley, PCT Chairman
Monday, 29 August 2005
Dear Mr Winstanley
Many thanks for your recent replies to our emails.
In the recent meeting we had in your office you stated that Gill Dolan’s report was expected to be finalised in October, yet in Jonathan Parry’s letter (dated 23rd August, to Karen Vernon of the NCT) Mr Parry states ‘September’.
Could you possibly clarify which month is accurate as it will make a big difference in getting these surveys to you?
CARES also enquired as to whether any help with childcare arrangements had been looked into for the 82 sets of parents who have now been told they have to go to Ormskirk, as this must be a great problem to some.
We recognise that Social Services can set up help for people having problems, ergo perhaps the PCT could liaise with them? I realise that it is not perhaps perceived by you as a PCT/NHS problem but it is these bodies that have created the ongoing situation in the first place, thus your assistance would be looked on as at least a friendly gesture.
We know, as you explained, that it is not cost-effective to keep the MLU open as it runs in its present arrangement, yet as the Dolan report is so close to being completed we strongly request on behalf of CARES, the NCT and all prospective parents that will be affected therein that you please give the ‘word’ to postpone the closure until the report is out and especially before any final decisions are made.
Every individual/group we are in contact with is saying how bizarre it is that the Unit is to be closed 4 weeks before you make a report. Surely it is more patient-friendly and reasonable to wait for the report?
The current situation is quite intolerable and is creating numerous concerns and understandable worries regarding awaiting births and the future of the Unit that to keep it open for another 4 weeks is, under these unusually pressing circumstances, surely not asking too much.
Regards
Cath Regan & Angela Weatherby
CARES Co-chairs
Coalition Against Removal of kids Emergency & other Services
C/0 192 Sandbrook Road, Southport, PR8 3RW.
Tel: 01704 571920