Ward debate is not expected until 2014 (From Knutsford Guardian)

Ward debate is not expected until 2014

8:30am Monday 18th March 2013 in News By James Wilson

EAST Cheshire NHS Trust has confirmed that its decision whether it will reopen Knutsford’s Tatton ward will not have to be discussed by the borough council until 2014.

The consultation into the future of the Tatton ward at Knutsford Community Hospital finished in February, and campaigners were expected to hear the matter discussed at the next Cheshire East Council health scrutiny meeting, which took place on Thursday.

But the trust told the Guardian the council wants to discuss the trust board’s decision a year after the final decision has been made by the trust.

That will mean that in March 2014 – when the council has requested to finally discuss the decision – it will have been 43 months since the ward was first temporarily closed by the trust board.

It was closed in August 2010 after it was revealed bosses needed to employ a doctor on the ward to keep it open.

Decisions on health matters which affect residents are normally discussed by the council at its in-house scrutiny meetings.

A spokesman for East Cheshire NHS Trust said: “The Trust will make recommendations following the Tatton ward consultation at its public trust board on March 28.

“The Trust has been advised that the scrutiny committee do not expect a report on the conclusion of the Tatton Ward consultation until approximately 12 months post decision-making and implementation.

“A notification of the decision of the trust board will be sent to the committee for information after March 28.”

The trust board meeting is due to take place on Thursday, March 28 at St John’s Church Hall in Knutsford.