Banbury residents are to get another say in the future of the Horton Hospital thanks to a report published by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) today. The report ruled that the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group's split consultation was inadequate and failed to take into account the interdependencies between Horton services which need to be tackled together. It added that the separation of the consultation deepened the confusion and suspicion of local residents before concluding the consultation must be re-run.
Viewing this as a “fresh start in the Horton fight”, Banbury Conservatives have welcomed the IRP’s findings and called for a “renewed impetus in the united campaign for our hospital.”
For months, Victoria Prentis MP has campaigned for the split consultation to be scrapped and the process started again. She is delighted with today’s announcement: “The IRP’s conclusion that further work needs to be undertaken before a final decision is made about the future of maternity services at the Horton comes as a huge relief, and is recognition of what many of us have been saying repeatedly since the flawed consultation process began.”
Arash Fatemian, County Councillor for Deddington Division and Chairman of Oxfordshire’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, whose referral to the Secretary of State has led to today’s response added: “The IRP’s report vindicates the anger and frustration which has been felt across our community for almost two years. It has been a difficult and uncertain time and while the IRP has not put forward an immediate solution, a restart of the consultation process will afford us the opportunity to have our voices genuinely heard.
I call on the CCG to recognise the importance of the messages laid down by IRP. This is a chance for the CCG’s new leadership to embrace the issue and move forward constructively. I will seek to action the creation of an extended Scrutiny Committee to ensure the views of our neighbours in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire are also represented.
We should not be daunted by going back to the drawing board nor should this be considered by the community as a step backward. It is an opportunity for us to revive our united front and fight our corner. We will leave no stone unturned to get best outcome for residents of Banbury and surrounding areas.”