Important decisions ahead affecting Teddington Memorial Hospital

On Thursday, 10th November The League of Friends for Teddington Memorial Hospital held a public meeting to discuss the future of the Hospital.

The public meeting, held at The Baptist Church in Church Road, Teddington was packed full with Teddington people keen to hear the current situation and the options for the future of Teddington's much-loved Hospital. 

The panel included Chairman of the Trustees of the League of Friends, Pamela Bryant MBE, a tireless supporter of Teddington Memorial, supported by several local GPs.  Amongst the audience there were several councillors present, including Teddington councillor and resident Tony Arbour. Vince Cable MP was not in the audience.

Pamela Bryant outlined in detail the options for the future ownership and management of the Hospital. There is currently an application in place by Hounslow and Richmond Healthcare NHS Trust for Community Foundation Trust Status. 

There were several questions from the audience and answers were given by the panel. The  main concern about the Community Foundation Trust Status is that if any future mergers occur within the NHS that Teddington Memorial Hospital could disappear from the community - never to be regained.

The alternative proposition is that The League of Friends, local GPs and the Teddington Community (and wider community) investigate another model of ownership and management, such as a social enterprise, commonly known as a CIC.  

If you missed the meeting last night and wish to make your views known about the future of the Hospital, the League of Friends suggest that letters or emails are sent to David Cameron, Nick Clegg and/or Andrew Lansley as follows:-

Email David Cameron or write to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

Email Nick Clegg or write to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, 70 Whitehall, London SW1A 2AS

Write to Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health, Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS.

Suggested wording would be:

I/we do not wish Teddington Memorial Hospital to become included in an application by Hounslow and Richmond Healthcare NHS Trust for Community Foundation Trust Status.  We support the League of Friends and General Practitioners in looking at alternative models of ownership and management of this valued GP and Community Hospital which was donated entirely by the community and who have continued over the years to raise £millions to keep it up to date.  We are concerned that if any future mergers take place in the NHS the Hospital will be lost to the community forever. 

You can be informed of updates to the situation by sending your details to info@league-tmh.org.uk or calling 020 8943 5430.  

There is no doubt that Teddington people are, as ever, supportive of the Hospital and the turnout last night suggested that if there were going to be any changes then they would only happen with the agreement and support of the Teddington community.