MP expresses disappointment at "loaded questions" in Health Services Discussion Paper

Anne Main has expressed her disappointment at the discussion document offered by the Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts.

Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans, has expressed her disappointment at the discussion document offered by the Hertfordshire Primary Care Trusts, a copy of which is attached.

Anne said:

"Given the unease over the proposed reconfigurations, I was disappointed to see that the Discussion Paper did not pose the questions to which the people of St Albans really want answers; questions of travel distances, of whose opinions should be taken into account; and of how our services should be organised. I feel the questions appear loaded and the authors of the paper are fishing for the answers they want. I do not want this consultation to be merely a nod towards listening to what my constituents want. These questions only ask for an agree/disagree position. If my supplementary questions were included the results may be rather different."

Anne has suggested the following supplementary questions, which she feels could be more representative of the questions the people of St Albans want to know the answers to:

Insert a new question before Question A, which reads "In light of the proposed increases in population and housing, do you agree that a new 700 bed hospital for Hatfield is no longer required?"

Question A should also include a statement which reads, "Taking into account the views of local taxpayers and residents"

Question B, about who should be involved in decision making process should include a statement which reads "Locally elected politicians who serve on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Group"

Question D (1) should include a statement 3, which reads "People concerned about traffic congestion should not have to assess if they, or the patient, has a medical need so serious that it would require an ambulance to get them to an A&E in time"

Question D (2) should include a statement 3, which reads "Many people do not like to call 999 and choose to make a journey to an A&E by car, rather than ambulance"

Question D(3) should include a statement 3, which reads: "Patients don't believe they can reach Watford by car due to congestion. Two extra ambulances will not be enough if people choose not to go by car"

Question E (1) should include a statement 3, which reads "Matrons cannot be everywhere and, if they have to travel significant distances, they will not be able to give each patient enough time, so those with chronic conditions will always need easy access to a hospital"

Question E (2) should include a statement 3, which reads "The NHS is so resource-stretched that people may not get all the care they need in their own homes and corners may be cut"

Question E(3) should include a statement 3, which reads "The priority for the NHS is ensuring good, clean, efficient services tailored to a patient's needs, linked to a hospital they can access readily"

Question H should read "There should be no move of A&E Services to Watford before completion of the proposed road improvements to ensure that patients are able to access services and not stuck in traffic" Agree/disagree

Question I should read "There should be no downgrading of services without detailed plans of the alternative proposal" Agree/disagree

Click here to download:Original Discussion Paper entitled "Investing in Your Health. The Next Steps""