Review that plunges MK hospital and health services into jeopardy may be led by a “government insider”. This is the claim from council leader Pete Marland, who fears the only winners will be the private consultancy firms hired to help with the review.
He is now demanding guarantees that key services will not suffer through any new plans. Without those guarantees MK council will “reconsider its position” about supporting anything at all in the review, he warned. The government-sponsored Sustainable Transformation Programme is looking at forging links between Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton and Dunstable hospitals. It is likely to affect key services such as A&E and maternity in all three areas. The review is being led by Pauline Philip, who is head of Luton and Dunstable hospital and also national director for urgent and emergency care. Mr Marland said: “The STP is the third review looking at closing A&Es, shipping services out of Milton Keynes and the downgrading of maternity units.”
Full story in MK Citizen 26th January 2017