Published at 06:12, Friday, 26 February 2010

THERE is much to be done to improve the service given to NHS patients locally.

Full service: Hexham General Hospital should be able to meet all the needs of Tynedale patients.

The former Hexham hospital used to be a centre of excellence for patients needing spinal treatment. It had a large swimming pool, and physiotherapy unit.

My grandson, now 11, was born at Hexham hospital. I remember well the tender, loving care he received after his delivery.

Now, Hexham General Hospital looks wonderful from the outside. But it is unable to treat many patients, because it does not have the facilities.

This also applies to the maternity department. Patients who experience difficulties in labour can not be treated there. They have to be transferred to Newcastle.

Personally, I cannot imagine anything worse than going into labour, and then having to be transferred 25 miles away to give birth, because the hospital is not equipped to give the treatment required.

This is not acceptable. Surely, the providers of the policy are at fault.

It seems to me that Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust needs to be planning a new hospital in Hexham to deal with patients coming from the Tynedale area.

Time spent travelling to Cramlington, for instance, will be difficult for patients and visitors from Tynedale.

Let us hope that a Conservative Government will find a way to improve the situation.

The people of this part of Northumberland need to be looked after now, and not ignored and put on the scrap heap.

There are many retired people living in this area, and couples with children.

SHIRLEY WHITMORE,

Humshaugh

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk