Backing for group's hospital campaign

A passionate debate followed a council motion to support the Say YES to Newark Hospital group’s battle for improved health services.

Independent Mrs Gill Dawn proposed that Newark and Sherwood District Council should pledge its support to the campaign group in its endeavours to have more services delivered at Newark.

An amended version, saying the council noted the group’s efforts and would undertake its proper role in scrutinising health provision in the district, was eventually supported.

Mrs Dawn said: “Gradually, without people noticing, services are going.

“Newark Hospital now has just 56 beds. Worksop has 300 and Grantham 200. They are similar-sized towns.

“The group is working on behalf of us all and we should have regular agenda items and updates from trustees.”

Mr Declan Logue, who proposed the amendment, said it was purely to clarify what the council’s role would be.

“We should all support the hospital. My wife works there and I know what goes on there as well as anybody,” he said.

“All I was trying to do was clarify things. I have total support for Newark Hospital.”

Mrs Maureen Dobson said she was amazed at the furore the wording of the motion had caused.

“I find it fascinating that we have put a very simple sentence forward on behalf of people who are putting in a lot of work at their own expense to maintain Newark’s services, and all of a sudden we get all these phone calls asking what we mean by it,” she said.

“These people are doing all the things we should be doing.”

Mrs Irene Brown said councillors needed to be clear in their support for health services.

“I think it is time we stood up to be counted and represented the views of the people who voted us in,” she said.

Mr David Staples said he supported the amendment because it addressed the needs of the whole district.