CLOSURE OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS

Early day motion 752, tabled 12 October 2005 by Lord Lansley (Conservative). Signed by 101 members.

That this House recognises the excellent service provided by community hospitals in affording locally accessible healthcare; deplores the current programme of closures that conflicts with the Government's commitment to community hospitals given in its 2005 manifesto; notes the strength of public opinion in favour of community hospitals; recognises that the cost of treating a patient in a community hospital is often significantly less than the cost of similar treatment in a district general hospital; further notes the potential loss to the NHS of dedicated staff when a community hospital closes; further notes that bed blocking in large acute units is exacerbated by the absence of step-down care; and calls upon the Government to conduct a review of closures and to recognise the potential for community hospitals to carry forward its plans for locally delivered healthcare.

Signatures by party: Conservative 94, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 2, Independent 1.