Today, North Oxfordshire MP Victoria Prentis writes the first in a new series of regular columns for the Banbury Guardian. Naturally, for her first piece, she centered on Banburyshire's united fight for the Horton General Hospital:
"It is a pleasure to write in the Banbury Guardian on a regular basis, particularly as we continue the fight to retain acute services at the Horton General Hospital.
The campaign is as personal to me as it is to everyone else in the area: I was born at the Horton and my family has relied on it for four generations. My father was taken seriously ill in Banbury last summer. His condition was stabilised at the Horton overnight until he was well enough to be transferred to the John Radcliffe for surgery. I was furious when I found out about changes almost eighteen months ago, having had no forewarning, and I share everyone’s frustration at the Trust and CCG’s unwillingness to listen. If the solution was as simple as more funding, I would be the first in line banging on the Chancellor’s door. Of course, recruitment is an issue for which the Government shoulders the responsibility. We need to be doing more to encourage people into the medical profession, particularly specialties like obstetrics and general practice. But that all takes time. We need urgent solutions in North Oxfordshire. It is a travesty that, despite our offers of assistance to help make the posts more attractive, we have been ignored time and time again. In 2008, the Independent Reconfiguration Panel told the Trust to develop clinical networks across its three hospital sites. We have been badly let down, as our town has grown and the traffic has got worse, and local health services have failed to expand.
But we are not giving up. The judicial review hearing in December may not have gone our way, but the judgment was clearly critical of the Clinical Commissioning Group’s actions. I am pleased that the Secretary of State has recently taken the decision to refer the suspension of obstetric services at the Horton to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel. The IRP has a vital role to play. Last time they were asked to consider the Horton in 2008 they provided a neutral and considered view. Like my predecessor, Sir Tony Baldry, I have made representations to the Panel as they prepare their initial assessment of the situation. I am hopeful that they will feel able to undertake a full investigation into the matter to give the people of Banbury the answers they have been looking for.
Just as we are undeterred, we are united in our opposition. On Saturday, I will be joining people from all political persuasions and none to show my support for the Horton. Ensuring we have a fully functioning hospital in the years to come isn’t political. It’s personal."