Banbury's campaign against the downgrading of critical care and maternity services at the Horton General Hospital has received further support from Cherwell District Council.
In light of clear concerns from residents across North Oxfordshire, on Monday, 6 February, Cherwell District Council’s executive committee approved a report affirming the council’s position against proposals to transfer services from the Horton General Hospital, in Banbury, to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Councillor Barry Wood, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “The campaign to protect hospital services for the people of north Oxfordshire is uniting people from across the political spectrum. Of course, the District Council does not have the power to decide which services the Horton hospital will retain, however, healthcare is the most essential of all public services and, as representatives of a very large and growing catchment area, we must do everything we can to ensure that our constituents’ voices are heard and their best interests represented.
Forcing women in labour and dangerously ill patients to be rushed to the John Radcliffe significantly reduces their chances of positive outcomes. We stand together with local residents in championing our hospital, fighting against the centralisation of key services to the JR.”
As part of their Oxfordshire Transformation Programme, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has put forwarded proposals for changes to the Horton's acute service provision, including stroke services and a permanent downgrade of maternity to a midwife-led unit. A consultation is currently running on these proposals. At Monday’s meeting, the Council reiterated its opposition to the fact that the consultation is being conducted in two stages. Councillors noted that splitting the consultation in two would make it harder for residents to properly make their views known, and harder for them to know what the ultimate outcome of the changes would be.
Banbury Conservatives welcomed the District Council's backing.