JR Trust Agrees to Consult in Abingdon and Wantage

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Jul 2006

Lobbying by Vale Lib Dem Councillors in Abingdon and Wantage has resulted in the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust agreeing to consult residents in both towns on proposals for the future of healthcare in the district. An earlier meeting in Abingdon arranged by the NHS Trust was not well publicised so few residents were able to turn up.

The Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust had previously only arranged meetings in nearby towns, including Witney and Didcot and Vale Councillors were keen to ensure that meetings could be arranged here as well. Councillors intended to write to the Trust inviting it to hold meetings but the Trust responded to the motion before it was discussed.

Proposing the motion, Cllr Alison Rooke said she hoped that the Trust would ensure it advertised meetings well and in good time to allow as many people as possible to attend.

Cllr Alison Rooke said: "This is good news for residents worried about the future of healthcare in the Vale. I am very pleased that we have been able to work out a programme for meetings here, which will give everyone the chance to air their views and to influence the future for our community and acute hospitals. I know the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust sees community hospitals as an important part of the service and I hope we can take something positive from these meetings to the PCTs to encourage them to think again on any plans they may have to close the hospitals in Abingdon or Wantage. I hope these meetings will be well publicised to allow everyone the chance to attend and comment."

Cllr Jenny Hannaby said: "This is very welcome for Wantage. We need to meet with the Trust and with the PCTs to let them know the strength of feeling which exists in the town and beyond that we need local services capable of serving our communities."