"Tell us the truth" about Wharfedale Hospital

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st Feb 2005

Cllr Greg Mulholland, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Leeds North West has urged health bosses in Leeds to come clean over provision of hospital facilities, in particular concerning plans for the new Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

Cllr Mulholland has been contacted by worried staff at the hospital who are worried at the lack of admissions to the surgical ward, especially at a time there is a lack of beds in Leeds, and there have been rumours that the ward may become a day centre or even close with staff earmarked to move to other locations in Leeds.

One member of staff said she is worried that the ?15 million pound hospital, which currently has less than 50 patients is becoming little more than a "glorified nursing home". As one member of staff pointed out, there will be more people at the official opening of the hospital on 26 January that there are patients!

Cllr Mulholland has now written to Neil McKay, the Chief Executive of Leeds Hospital Trust. Cllr Mulholland said "It is clear that at the moment, staff and the public do not know what the plans are for Wharfedale Hospital and the trust must come clean about this. I am demanding answers so that staff and local people know the truth about the future of services there."

This is on top of the wider heath crisis in Leeds which has seen wards closed in other parts of the city and operations cancelled in January and Leeds City Council leaders have been very critical of the way even they have not informed about the mounting health crisis in Leeds. What does seem, clear, however, if that longer term plans include the downgrading Leeds General Infirmary with many hospital functions moving to St James on the other side of the city and Cllr Mulholland has pointed to a wider concern for people in North West Leeds and Wharfedale. "For anyone who lives on the North West side of the city or in Wharfedale, they will face having to travel to the other side of Leeds for many services they currently receive much closer to home".

Concludes Cllr Mulholland, "It's time people were told the truth about hospital provision in Leeds. I also think it is time they had their say on the issue. As a result of this chaos, I also will now be writing to everyone in Leeds North West with a health survey so they can air their views on this crucial issue".