Lamb Hails 'Phase One Victory' in Battle to Keep Wells Hospital Open

11.50.18am GMT Wed 26th Jan 2005

Campaigners fighting to keep Wells Hospital open received a boost in their campaign at a recent meeting with health chiefs.

Norman Lamb, who has been heavily involved with the campaign, attended the meeting with town mayor Joyce Trett, campaign co-ordinator Peter Rainsford, and others from the Save Wells Hospital campaign.

"We agreed a joint statement at the meeting with the Primary Care Trust which critically states that closure will not be an option for the future of the hospital," said Mr Lamb. "All parties are now working together to ensure that the hospital can be reopened as soon as possible."

"The real victory will be celebrated when the doors of the hospital re-open, and patients are re-admitted to the ward."

During the meeting, Norman Lamb handed over a petition of over 2000 people, and nearly 200 letters calling for the hospital's future to be secured as soon as possible.

Options for the future of the hospital are being drawn up and will be

presented to the Primary Care Trust on 10 February.

The joint statement agreed at the meeting reads:

"Meeting regarding Wells Cottage Hospital - Monday 24th January 2005 Present -

Norman Lamb, Local Member of Parliament

League of Friends

Representatives from Campaign for re-opening Wells

Representation from West Norfolk PCT

Representation from North Norfolk PCT

Mayor of Wells

Patients Forum

We agreed the process which we need to go through to ensure, as a matter of priority, that the re-opening of inpatient beds at Wells takes place as soon as possible. We will do this in a way which ensures a safe clinical environment for patients and also ensures the confidence of staff employed in Wells together with the people in the local community.

A number of options were considered for the basis of consultation with the representatives of Wells and the surrounding area about the future.

These discussions will be passed on, where possible, offering a broader range of services to the public from the hospital and will explore many partnership opportunities but does not include an option of closure.

The PCT Chair and Chief Executive received a public petition which expressed the concern of the people of Wells and District.

24th January 2005 "