Future of Yeovil Hospital's stroke unit to come under the spotlight

FEARS that Yeovil District Hospital could be set to lose its stroke unit facilities as part of controversial new health proposals will come to the fore again next week.

David Slack, the managing director or the NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, and Dr Matthew Dolman will be meeting with members of South Somerset District Council on Thursday (February 27, 2014) night.

They will give a short presentation on proposals to provide a centre of excellence for stroke patients at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and move all initial stroke services from Yeovil Hospital - plans which were initially unveiled late last year.

A council spokesman said: “This will be an early opportunity for members to comment on a ‘consultation business plan’ on the option which should be published in the late Spring for a three-month public consultation.”

Yeovil MP David Laws will be meeting with representatives from the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group the following day (Friday, February 28, 2014) to discuss his concerns about the proposals.

“I am meeting the SCCG for a second time on Friday to discuss my continued concerns about the proposals to move stroke services from Yeovil Hospital to Musgrove Park in Taunton, and to pass on the representations of many of my constituents who have contacted me about these proposals,” he said.

“With strokes it is imperative that people get treated as quickly as possible. Travel distances to Taunton can be quite long, particularly when the roads are busy, and this would be a big concern.

“On top of this, the plans do not appear to involve any savings. We must also factor in the added travel cost and inconvenience for relatives.”

Mr Laws said he had already had meetings with Yeovil Hospital officials who had told him of their “real concerns” about the SCCG proposals.

PHOTOS: Yeovil District Hospital is set to lose its stroke unit facilities under new health proposals, while (top) is important advice about how to Act Fast in the event of someone having a stroke.

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