A legal challenge has been launched by Cherwell District Council following a “confusing and flawed” local consultation which could result in the downgrade of key services at Banbury’s Horton General Hospital.
Today, the Council filed an application for a judicial review into how Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has consulted with the public over changes to services which include maternity, critical care, and hospital bed use at the Horton.
The challenge has been led by Cherwell District Council with South Northamptonshire District Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, and Banbury Town Council acting as co-claimants and with support from the Keep the Horton General campaign group.
Leader of Conservative-controlled Cherwell District Council Barry Wood said of the application: “Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s current two-phase consultation is utterly flawed. Splitting the consultation into two parts has proved incredibly confusing and as a result, those who will be most affected by any changes – namely the residents of Banbury and surrounding areas – are still unsure as to exactly what is happening to their local hospital.
“As a local Council, we have tried to answer the real concerns of local people but there is still widespread misperception. The Horton General Hospital is a very valued and accessible hospital to people in North Oxfordshire, South Northamptonshire and parts of the Stratford District who regard it as their hospital of choice.
These proposals have significant and permanent implications for future access to healthcare services. Our Councils consider it entirely unacceptable that the CCG is trying to move ahead with plans which have not been fully understood by those who will suffer the consequences.”
The crux of the CCG’s plans is to centralise vital acute services to the John Radcliffe in Oxford. Services potentially affected include critical care, stroke cases and maternity. The proposals also advise the permanent closure of almost 200 local hospital beds, but local people remain confused about the direction of the plans as another phase of the consultation is planned for the end of the year.
Having now submitted the judicial review, the District Council will wait to hear if the case will proceed to the High Court for consideration. A decision on this is expected next month.