Whitehall blocks controversial Wells Hospital plans

1.00.00am GMT Tue 22nd Feb 2005

Papers obtained by Norman Lamb under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that plans to cease use of Wells Hospital for intermediate beds were blocked as result of political pressure from Whitehall.

One briefing note disclosed to Mr Lamb, dated January 2005, states, "Plans for significant changes to provider services with a full year impact of £1.2 million were dropped after advice from the SHA / DoH that these would be politically unacceptable."

These plans included turning Wells Hospital over to a local charity to provide palliative care - but if that didn't work the buildings and land were to be disposed of on the open market.

Norman Lamb expressed his concerns about Whitehall motivation earlier today, saying "If it is politically unacceptable to cease use of Wells Hospital for intermediate beds in January 2005, will it still be politically unacceptable after the general election?"

"I will be writing to John Reid, challenging him to confirm that this is not a case of bad news being postponed until after the general election," Mr Lamb added. "The case for Wells Hospital retaining intermediate hospital beds will be as strong in May as it is now."

Mr Lamb has also applied for an adjournment debate on the future of Wells Hospital.