Today the County's Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met in Banbury to discuss the proposed change in services at the Horton Hospital. The proceedings were recorded by BBC South Today and we heard statements from GP's, the Oxford Radcliffe Trust, Oxfordshire PCT, clinicians, midwives, South Central Ambulance Trust, Tony Baldry MP, the 'Keep the Horton General' action group and many more.
It was clear to us all by the end of the meeting that this was a downgrading of services which would have an impact on patients in the area. The main areas of contention were around services for children (including new born babies) and maternity services. The committee was concerned about transporting women in labour or sick babies and children to the JR. The ambulance trust unfortunately could not give us assurances that travelling time from Banbury to the JR in an emergency could be guaranteed, especially during the rush hour. We also heard how the training needs of junior doctors under the new working directive appeared to be driving much of the agenda.
We decided to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
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