Weston Parish Council chairman calls on health secretary Wes Streeting to upgrade Spalding-area’s Johnson Hospital to cope with housing influx
‘If your government is serious about improving the NHS then upgrading this hospital could make a big difference’ — that is the message that has been sent to the new health secretary by a concerned council chairman.
Weston Parish Council’s Chris Dicks has written to Wes Streeting to call for the Spalding area’s Johnson Community Hospital to be upgraded to cope with the influx of housing.
Mr Streeting has been promising to turnaround the ‘broken’ NHS by ‘fixing the foundations’ — with promise of £1.57 billion for scanners, surgical hubs and radiotherapy machines in order to boost appointment numbers.
Mr Dicks is the latest voice in the district to feel that the hospital — which opened in 2009 at an estimated cost of £23 million — is underused.
The Department of Health stated that funding for NHS organisations seeking new infrastructure will be considered as part of a spending review.
Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for planning and paying for our health services, said there are currently no plans to upgrade the Johnson Hospital in Pinchbeck — but bosses are awaiting future funding announcements from the Government.
Calls have been made in the past for the Spalding Road hospital to have its own A&E.
Mr Dicks has emailed the health secretary to highlight that the area’s population is likely to rise by ‘many thousands’ after ‘massive housing increase’ since 2015.
He said: “Needless to say the infrastructure to support these homes has not been forthcoming from either the previous government or South Holland District Council.
”Amongst the infrastructure required would be a hospital fully funded by government, as it happens we have the Johnson Community Hospital which I understand was classed as a front line hospital until several years ago, until the cut backs to the NHS.
”This hospital carries out minor injury treatment and other medical issues ie blood tests and physio, X-rays and other low key elements
”Can I suggest that serious consideration be given to the community of South Holland that the hospital be granted a higher status and increase its capabilities to meet the demands of the district and save residents journeys to either Peterborough or Boston whose capacities are already stretched.
”Logic says invest in the local area to save time and overstretched resources at the other two hospitals.
”I know the argument will surround costs and resources but if your government is serious about improving the NHS then upgrading this hospital could make a big difference to your intentions of making the NHS a better and more productive business model.”
Up to 400 homes will be built near the hospital site in Spalding Road after Ashley King Developments was given the green light last year — while 70 homes are being built on the former Ivanda nursery in Monks House Lane, Spalding.
A total of 900 homes have been earmarked at the Holbeach Meadows development while 86 homes are being built in Roman Road, Moulton Chapel and 90 are due to be built in Gosberton.
Johnson Hospital is run by the Lincolnshire Community Health Services - which has increased community ward provision at its Gainsborough site as part of a £4.5million transformation.
The Spalding Road hospital has a minor injuries unit along with providing outpatient and blood clinics.
It is also home to the 32-bed Welland Ward along with the four-bed palliative care suite, The Tulip Suite.
The hospital also has a dental surgery which stood empty for some time apart from the ad-hoc use by the Community Dental Services.
An ICB spokesman said that it is awaiting national announcements regarding future funding.
He said: “We are aware of the increase in housing in and around Spalding and we continue to engage with our local partners to factor this expansion into our planning. Johnson Community Hospital provides a range of important services to the local community, but there are no current plans to upgrade it.”
Speaking before yesterday’s (Wednesday) budget announcement, a government spokesperson said: “This government inherited a broken NHS - and to fix it, we recognise the importance of strategic, value-for-money capital investments. The upcoming Budget will begin delivering on the promise of change, including for the NHS.
“As well as the vital reform we will deliver as part of our 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure the NHS has the funding it needs as we build a health service fit for the future.”
In Stamford, a new day treatment unit is being constructed on the town’s hospital site — with a view to treating patients next year.
It will provide day surgery and procedures that do not require an overnight stay.
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