MP looks to doctors to judge "courageous" hospital plan

12:19pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Lawrence Dunhill

MP looks to doctors to judge "courageous" hospital plan MP looks to doctors to judge "courageous" hospital plan

WYCOMBE MP Steve Baker says plans for a regional Thames Valley hospital are "courageous" - but he will look to doctors to judge the proposals.

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, is calling for a new 'super hospital' to be built at Junction 8/9 of the M4, which would prompt the closure a hospital within his constituency (see related links).

Though "slightly cautious" about hospital centralisation, Mr Baker stressed he is not a clinical expert and would wait to hear what local doctors say about the radical plans.

At a meeting in Marlow on Friday, the Conservative backbencher added: "If it’s the best solution I would expect the Clinical Commissioning Groups to come out and back it. If they come out and back it then I’ll back them."

But after the meeting he told the Bucks Free Press his support would rest on the public’s backing as well.

He said the new hospital would be a "massive departure" from NHS plans to create a network of services across existing sites, and the proposal was a "controversial contribution" to the current debate.

He added: "The attraction for people in Marlow Bottom and the south of my constituency is obvious.

“The case is not so clear cut for my constituents in Tylers Green, Hazlemere or Ibstone and of course the people of High Wycombe want the ideal we all share: for such a hospital to be built here.

"If the public across Wycombe back Dr Lee's proposal and if our local doctors agree that it is the best plan for Wycombe and the Thames Valley, then I will back them.

"In the meantime, I want the best services in Wycombe as part of the intended network..."

Related links

Comments (6)

2:19pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Darren Hayday says...

Nice to see that 'we' the members of the public come last on his list Steve....
Nice to see that 'we' the members of the public come last on his list Steve.... Darren Hayday

3:34pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Judge 2 says...

The Dr from Brackell would be in favour but for us in Wycombe, Junction 8 / 9 is same as going to Stoke.
The Dr from Brackell would be in favour but for us in Wycombe, Junction 8 / 9 is same as going to Stoke. Judge 2

8:41pm Fri 14 Sep 12

demoness the second says...

It's just Marlow again, thinking that they are the centre of the universe.
It's just Marlow again, thinking that they are the centre of the universe. demoness the second

1:16pm Sat 15 Sep 12

laircm says...

demoness the second wrote:
It's just Marlow again, thinking that they are the centre of the universe.
Old habits die hard dont they Demon. At it again with your blanket generalisations. Who exactly are 'they'? As a Marlovian who cares about decent hospitals for all the good people of Bucks, am I included? :-(
[quote][p][bold]demoness the second[/bold] wrote: It's just Marlow again, thinking that they are the centre of the universe.[/p][/quote]Old habits die hard dont they Demon. At it again with your blanket generalisations. Who exactly are 'they'? As a Marlovian who cares about decent hospitals for all the good people of Bucks, am I included? :-( laircm

1:55pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Arutha says...

Hmm, J8/9 next door to Maidenhead. I hope that no one has to get there in a hurry from north of the Bisham roundabout on the A404 during crawl hour, unless its during the school holidays.
Hmm, J8/9 next door to Maidenhead. I hope that no one has to get there in a hurry from north of the Bisham roundabout on the A404 during crawl hour, unless its during the school holidays. Arutha

11:43am Sun 23 Sep 12

DonRockell says...

Arutha wrote:
Hmm, J8/9 next door to Maidenhead. I hope that no one has to get there in a hurry from north of the Bisham roundabout on the A404 during crawl hour, unless its during the school holidays.
Well I hope no one from Marlow, Flackwell heath, Bourne End, Hambleden or Bisham will need to use a hospital at all. Especially if they continue to move services to Stoke - Even worse if they need to use public transport or they live on their own and need transport after an operation.

At least the Maidenhead option is accessible via a train and bus journeys from Marlow or Bourne End
[quote][p][bold]Arutha[/bold] wrote: Hmm, J8/9 next door to Maidenhead. I hope that no one has to get there in a hurry from north of the Bisham roundabout on the A404 during crawl hour, unless its during the school holidays.[/p][/quote]Well I hope no one from Marlow, Flackwell heath, Bourne End, Hambleden or Bisham will need to use a hospital at all. Especially if they continue to move services to Stoke - Even worse if they need to use public transport or they live on their own and need transport after an operation. At least the Maidenhead option is accessible via a train and bus journeys from Marlow or Bourne End DonRockell

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