A better standard of service? (From Gazette & Herald)

A better standard of service?

ONCE again, it seems that Malton Hospital is under threat - this time it is surgery requiring anaesthesia which is being curtailed and transferred to Scarborough, supposedly due to a lack of locally available anaesthetists. Yet, according to local doctors, there are enough qualified staff to continue the service, so suspicion must fall on cost cutting as the real motive, despite the inconvenience to local residents and the not inconsiderable cost to the Ambulance Trust of transferring patients to and from Scarborough.

Last time Malton Hospital was under threat, Ryedale's Liberal Democrats fought a vigorous and largely successful campaign to ward off the majority of the cutbacks. This time there has been no presentation of the facts or meaningful public consultation which could justify this decision, so the Liberal Democrats call on the Health Trust to suspend any decision in order to allow full consultation with all interested parties.

Unless it can be proved beyond doubt that the service cannot be continued, or that alternatives will actually provide a better standard (and not just cheaper) service, then there should be no change in the status quo.

TONY FISHER

Chairman, Ryedale Lib Dems

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, April 18, 2002