James Gray

Conservative Party | Wiltshire North

Cautious Welcome to Hospital Bed Compromise

North Wiltshire MP James Gray announced in the House of Commons yesterday that Wiltshire Primary Care Trust had confirmed that the number of beds at Chippenham Hospital would be reduced to 20 rather than to 10.

“Without being immodest, I should like to think that the timing of that decision may not have been uncoincidental with the occurrence of this Adjournment debate and oral questions today, but perhaps it was for other reasons. There has been a change of heart by the Primary Care Trust, which was adamant on the subject at a stormy meeting only two weeks ago.”

“I am glad that in the subsequent two weeks they have seen reason and realised that 10 beds is not sustainable and that 20 is a more reasonable number. A deal has been done with the Royal United Hospital in Bath, which will have 10 beds at Chippenham. That is an eminently healthy development. It is still not enough; 20 beds is half the present number, and it is difficult to assess whether that is sustainable.”