Campaigners push for increase in services

The Save Newark Hospital Campaign will put forward alternative proposals to the two urgent care options at a public meeting on Wednesday.

The chairman of the campaign, Dr Ian Campbell, said they would produce an argument for extending the services provided at Newark.

Both NHS Nottinghamshire County and Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust have been invited to the meeting to present their proposals.

Dr Campbell said they would discuss their plans with both trusts and the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, before Wednesday.

He said, based on the support for the demonstration at Newark Hospital earlier this month, he expected hundreds of people to be at the meeting.

It will be at The Cardinal’s Hat, Jersey Street, at 7.30pm.

Dr Campbell said NHS Nottinghamshire County’s consultation had been inadequate and that people had not been given enough information to give a truly considered response.

He said it was no surprise that the majority of people supported option one.

Dr Campbell said the campaign was seeking constructive negotiations with NHS Nottinghamshire County and Sherwood Forest Hospitals rather than a contest.

“We want to offer our support to the ongoing development of services at Newark Hospital,” he said.

Dr Campbell said it had taken time to put together their proposals after gathering evidence from health professionals and the public.

He said the campaign was not proposing a fully-functioning A & E service for logistical reasons, but did not accept a downgrading to a minor injuries unit. He was confident the board would take note of the proposals.

He thought the campaign had caused the NHS decision-makers to think more about public opinion.

Dr Campbell said they wanted to see at least 24-hour opening retained, but felt more should be done.

“We would not be satisfied with 24 hours,” he said.

He expected a significant public presence at both Thursday’s board meeting and the June board meeting.