Thousands sign petition ahead of demo to 'save stroke services'
The NHS say the planned reorganisation is 'complex' but will improve treatment for patients
More than 11,000 people have now signed a petition to save Yeovil's stroke services - and stop patients being sent to Taunton or Dorchester instead.
Hundreds have now added their signatures to the petition after the Government said it won't 'call in' the NHS decision or intervene.
The Quicksilver Community Group have confirmed it is planning a demo next month to mark a year since the decision was first given the go-ahead, with chair Ray Tostevin warning: "The idea that moving patients further away to Taunton or Dorchester will somehow make the care better that just doesn't wash."
Somerset's NHS responded with a statement which called the situation a 'complex' project and warning "there is still a long way to go." The statement pledged that changes will mean "better emergency treatment and better recovery for stroke patients."
What have campaigners said?
Mr Tostevin added: ""Gutted. After months of waiting for a response from Wes Streeting's office, Quicksilver Community Group is very disappointed at Wes Streeting's decision not to officially call-in (review) NHS Somerset's planned closure of Yeovil Hospital's Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU).
"The Health Secretary has done a Pontius Pilate, washing his hands and won't get involved. It now rests with community campaigners, including Quicksilver Community Group; patient groups; local councils and our MPs to take the baton and fight on.
"Our own Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been rightly vocal in parliament, and behind the scenes, too, in pushing for NHS Somerset ICB to think again about their plan to close Yeovil's emergency stroke unit."
The petition can be found here
What has Adam Dance MP said?
What has Somerset's NHS said?
Dr Bernie Marden, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Somerset, said: “We welcome the decision by the Secretary of State that the requests for a call-in do not meet the threshold for ministerial intervention and the Minister’s view that NHS Somerset is best placed to determine the needs of our local population.
“The decision we took was the right one for the people of Somerset. We remain committed to making these improvements to stroke services that will lead to fewer people dying or suffering serious disability.
“We will continue to work closely with partners, patient groups, staff and our local MPs, including through our Stroke Stakeholder Reference Group, which is well established and is independently chaired by Healthwatch Somerset to make sure local voices are heard.
“It’s a complex project and there is still a long way to go but we will work through issues with our local partners and community representatives as part of the implementation phase.
“The changes to stroke services in Somerset will mean better emergency treatment and better recovery for stroke patients. A considerable amount of work has gone into this programme, including hugely valuable input from clinicians, staff, stroke survivors and their loved ones.”