Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has responded to the announcement that University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire has taken a decision to close Birch Ward at Rugby's Hospital of St Cross:

“I am, of course, disappointed by the decision of UHCW to close the Birch Ward at the Hospital of St Cross. The ward catered for general, non-acute, admissions and this will now mean that some patients who would have been attended to in Rugby will now have to be admitted to Coventry. This will regrettably lead to more journeys for friends and relatives. However, it is clear that this decision has not been taken lightly. The Hospital Trust is faced with a substantial deficit and this affects both St Cross and the Coventry site of UHCW”

Mark continued: “It is my belief that as the Trust gets to grip with its budget deficit that the Birch Ward should be returned to its present operational capacity. Any removal of beds should be a temporary, and not a permanent, measure. It is vital that the management of UHCW reaffirms their previous statements, which have committed in full to maintain and develop services at St Cross. Our town is anticipating significant housing growth, and services at our hospital will need to be maintained in order to serve the larger population which will result.  In the longer term, the people of Rugby must not be disadvantaged by any decisions made by the Trust in Coventry as they look to balance their books.”

Mark added: “It is vitally important to remember where responsibility lies for the situation faced by the health service. We are in a difficult position due to overspending in recent years. Regrettably, despite the fact that Government has made more money available for health than ever before, the current economic position doesn’t allow as much to be done now as is desirable. In addition the previous Government used PFI schemes to fund projects they knew the country could not afford, and in doing so concealed the full extent of their cost. The consequence of this is that hospitals, such as UHCW, are now crippled with large payments to PFI contractors, taking vital funds away from the hospital which should be being used on patient care.”

Mark concluded: “Time after time, the people of Rugby have stated their support for their local hospital, St Cross, and have made it perfectly clear to politicians such as myself, that they are not prepared to see a substantial reduction in the services provided here. At the time of a recent review, a campaigning organisation, “Hands Off St Cross”, was established. Hands off St Cross is waiting in the wings, and if the threat to services becomes significant, I know that residents will once again be prepared to make their voices heard. They will have my full support.”