2008 Felixstowe’s Fate
Details of Petition: Submitted by Jacqueline Cumiskey
"This convalescent home was left to the people of East Suffolk as a necessary restorative
premise's to lighten the load on Ipswich and East Suffolk hospitals, this need is
even greater today than it was in 1947 when it was originally bequeathed. This Grade
11 listed building has a book value of £3.2m and has been put on the market for £1.9m.
Suffolk PCT propose to deliver care in the home and whilst this is appropriate for
some people it definitely is not for a large number. Once this facility has been
sold off-
Read the Government's response
The Government's aim is for NHS and social care to be fully integrated and to be provided as close to people's homes as possible, avoiding whenever possible the need for people to travel long distances for services that could just as easily be delivered locally. Our proposals for the future of local community services are to achieve a workable balance between the most efficient use of clinical resources and the maintenance of services that are most convenient to people.
The Government made it clear in the White Paper Our health, our care, our say: a
new direction for community services that decisions on the long-
PCTs, with their broad perspective across hospital, community and primary care, are best placed to make decisions about the provision of local services in consultation with local people and their SHAs.
The decision to close the Bartlet Hospital was agreed by the then Secretary of State
for Health, Patricia Hewitt. Any decision to close a hospital or care home is not
taken lightly. The decision to close the Bartlet followed a full period of consultation
undertaken by Suffolk PCT, and is in line with the PCT's strategy to develop community
based care.
The Government has been advised that services will continue to be provided at the Bartlet Hospital until early next year, when services will then transfer to the refurbished Felixstowe General Hospital
Save the Bartlet Convalescent Home Petition Fails
Not listened To
The failure of the local Strategic Health Authorities and the Primary Care Trust to be consistent with the government long term strategy is evident daily in the area. The efficient use of clinical resources is failing now.
Yet alone when the Bartlet is closed. The phrase when it’s gone it’s gone, is relevant and there is no back up system to sort out the mess.
Benefactor Dr John Bartlet turning in his grave ?
Closer to Patients Homes ????
Felixstowe residents are having to travel to Aldeburgh to visit sick relatives and the consultation has been described as a sham
