THE chief executive of Dorset HealthCare has finally announced a public consultation on the future of health provision on Portland. But Portlanders have already seen damaging cuts to the Hospital undertaken without consultation. And now we know the HealthCare Trust is considering sale of the entire Portland Hospital site.
The Trust denies that a sale is in the offing (Dorset Echo, September 29). Public documents suggest, however, that the Trust Board has looked actively at this option – and campaigners are right to raise the alarm.
According to Chief Executive Ron Shields, a consultation with the public later this month will “make sure that Portlanders get the very best services?
The last time we were consulted about health in Dorset over 50,000 people protested about planned cuts: health bosses simply ignored us and went ahead anyway.
We already have a crisis of poverty wages and unaffordable housing in South Dorset, and reduced spending on education means that all our secondary schools in Weymouth and Portland are struggling.
Our health services urgently need new resources, not more cuts.
Weymouth and Portland Action on Wages (WeyPAW) has called an open conference to discuss new policies for the area on wages, health, housing and schools.
We invite readers of the Echo to attend and to make their voices heard: Saturday, October 13, 12 midday, Safewise, Radipole Lane, Weymouth.
Admission is free – all are welcome. More details at weypaw.org.uk
Philip Marfleet
Canberra Crescent
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