Hospital Campaign exposes threat to the Royal Victoria Derry Unit

12.15.50pm GMT Sat 6th Jan 2007

Cheriton Councillor Tim Prater

A letter from the Chair of the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust to the Liberal Democrats has revealed that the Trust is considering the future of the Derry Unit Urology services at the Royal Victoria. The letter was in response to local campaigner Tim Prater, who had asked if the Trust would guarantee the future of all services at the site after the announcement that the main RVH building was being considered for sale.

Tim Prater's letter (dated 17 December) asked:

"Please can you confirm, in writing, that under any circumstances (building sale or otherwise) [all current] services will remain located in Folkestone, and not be 'relocated' to other hospitals outside Folkestone?"

The reply from George Jenkins, Chair of the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust dated 3 January said:

"The Derry unit provides urogynaecology services and a urology diagnostic triage and treatment service to a population far wider than just the Folkestone area, and discussions will be held shortly to determine whether or not the RVH is the best location for this service."

Local Councillor Tim Prater said:

"The Trust needs to come clean on its plans for the hospital. Firstly, they only revealed they had been considering selling the Victorian part of the RVH after pressure from local newspapers who had been told of rumours from the hospital.

"Next comes the news they are considering moving the respected Derry unit urology services from the Royal Victoria - despite trying to claim that all services are 'safe'.

"And most importantly, they have yet to reassure sceptical local residents who simply don't understand how the current level of services can be offered from the RVH if the main Victorian building is sold. It seems simply impossible that the same number of staff and patient treatment hours can be offered from the reduced space on offer. If the Trust can prove that they can do this, it's time they did so to reassure Folkestone residents."