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FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Hospital merger Hinchingbrooke Health Care and Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals
Following public meetings during August and September 2016 and resolutions at the public board meetings for
Hinchingbrooke Health Care Trust on Thursday 29
th
September and Peterborough and Stamford NHS Foundation
Trust on Tuesday 27
th
September it is hoped that a merger of these 3 hospitals will bring financial and clinical sta-
bility.
It is expected for the financial year to the end of March 2017 that Hinchingbrooke HC Trust will announce a 13.8
million pound deficit and currently struggles to recruit with an approx. 12% vacancy rate. The cost of employing
large numbers of agency staff at the hospital is adding to the hospitals financial burden and a merger would see
benefits under a single operational management structure and shared workloads across the hospital sites.
It is hoped that a merger of the hospitals would save Hinchingbrooke HC Trust 9 million pounds recurrently per
year and positive contributions and opportunities being delivered from year 3 after the proposed merger of the
hospitals.
Patients in Huntingdon and surrounding areas will have the benefit of improved services at their hospital and no
services will be lost from Huntingdon. Patients in Huntingdon will also have a greater say in how their hospital is
run, through becoming members of the merged Foundation Trust and by being able to stand as Governors.
There will be further engagement with the public in October and November 2016 before the final sign off by both
Trust boards at the end of November 2016 and regulator approval from October 2016 to February 2017 with an
expected merger April 2017. If you would like any further information regarding the possible hospital merger
please contact me.
Please be advised that residents can come along to the Buckden village hall on the second Tuesday of the month
at 6.30pm for an hour to speak to me. I will be in the Aragon room and no appointment is necessary. My next sur-
gery will be held on
Tuesday 8
th
November 2016
.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Julie Wisson, County Councillor Buckden and the Offords
07725 791459 01767 677837 Julie.Wisson@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
LEVEL CROSSING
My motion concerning the level crossing between Buckden and The Offords will be debated at the full District
Council meeting on 19
th
October. I know that I have the support of Parish Councils and believe that I have that of
other local Councillors. It may be that the HDC can have only limited influence but I believe that it is important that
we press for the closure of this dangerous and traffic limiting bottleneck. In an ideal world it could be completed at
the same time as the new A14 viaduct is constructed across the River Ouse and Main Line Railway.
FUTURE OF A1
Discussions continue on the future update of the A1 between the M25 and Brampton Hut. The A1 Safety Advisory
Group will have the opportunity to discuss what progress has been made at its meeting on 28
th
September.
BONFIRES
The weather this year has resulted in particularly luxuriant growth of all plants and leaves on trees. If you are con-
sidering a bonfire please make sure that you check the direction of the wind and tell your neighbours. Better still
use your green bin or take the leaves etc to the nearest dump.
KEEPING FIT
Last month I mentioned the HDC health walks, this month can I remind residents about the excellent facilities that
are available at all of the HDC Leisure centres. Why not maintain your 'beach physiques' and prepare for the
Christmas excesses?
DEVOLUTION
Final decisions will soon be made about the devolution of certain powers to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
and the election of a Mayor. I shall keep residents informed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me on any local issues on 01480 810974
or terry.hayward@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
With best wishes
Terry Hayward
District Councillor for Buckden Ward