CLOSURE OF HARLOW WOOD ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL

That this House deeply regrets the announcement by North Nottinghamshire Health Authority that Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital is to close; recalls with concern the decision by Trent Regional Health Authority to transfer the Spinal Unit at Harlow Wood to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, removing approximately one third of the work of the hospital; is further concerned that new contracts were not negotiated to fill this gap; believes that the situation has arisen as a direct result of Government reforms in the National Health Service; is concerned about the loss of orthopaedic care to patients as well as the risk to staff currently employed at the hospital; and calls upon the management of North Nottinghamshire Health Authority to give an undertaking to relocate all staff currently employed at the hospital.