Hospital protest in centre of Cirencester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hospital protest in centre of Cirencester

FUNDING for cottage hospitals "is both flawed and biased against them". That is the damning verdict of The League of Friends of Fairford Hospital, which is battling to safeguard inpatient care at the community facility.

Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust has been conducting a consultation over the last few months to decide the fate of the hospital.

One option being considered for Fairford is to scrap its 15 beds to make way for new outpatient facilities.

However, plans to build another hospital in the area are also being considered by the PCT, which is looking at a number of possible sites, whereby a private or voluntary organisation would finance the building work.

If the beds must close, The League of Friends believes it is essential to build another facility nearby.

With an ageing population, the group says other hospitals in the county will not be able to support Fairford's patients in the future.

However, league chairman David Phillips has expressed grave concerns over making any changes before the proposed shake up of the health service, which is planned for next autumn.

Gloucestershire's three PCTs are set to form a 'super trust', and he thinks any changes made before that merger will be "unfocussed".

He said: "We are fundamentally opposed to the loss of medical beds.

There seems to be a national policy of closing small community hospitals by stealth and there is no value placed nationally on the role of the community in healthcare.

"A community hospital provides a focus for the care and concern of a locality on the way the frail and vulnerable are given care.

"The Friends consider it essential to retain the existing number of medical beds in Fairford Hospital, but accept that local provision of medical beds could be provided under a Public Private Partnership.

"However, we would wish to be reassured current provision would be maintained during the negotiation process."

The fight for better funding for cottage hospitals is also of paramount concern to Fairford's supporters. Mr Phillips says there are several financial anomalies and inconsistencies in the structure of support provided for cottage hospitals.

Mr Phillips is also dismayed that the threat of closing such hospitals comes at a time when there is an expected flu pandemic.

He said: "It seems illogical to be reducing beds at such a time when there is a clear role for community hospitals in dealing with such a pandemic."

The results of the consultation will be discussed by the PCT board on Tuesday at 9.30am at Cirencester Corn Hall. For more information turn to the letters page.

o Two 53-seater coaches will leave St Mary's Church at 8.45am to take residents to the Corn Hall meeting and is open to everyone.