Huntingdon Constituency MP, Jonathan Djanogly, commenting on the review by the Strategic Health Authority on the future of Hinchingbrooke hospital, said:
"My understanding is that the SHA, which covers six counties, Beds, Cambs, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire, will be conducting Hinchingbrooke's review in advance of the rest of their catchment area, with the exception of Hertfordshire. I find it hard to understand how this can be deemed a proper strategic review, considering the significant potential impact on neighbouring hospitals such as Addenbrookes, Peterborough and Bedford. This leads me to believe that this could actually be a cost cutting review than a strategic review.
I have written to the Cambridgeshire County Councils Health Scrutiny Committee which has the power to request the Secretary of State for Health to consider:
a) whether the committee is concerned that consultation on substantial variation development of services has been inadequate; and
b) whether the committee considers that the proposal is not in the interest of the health service, or those that use it;
Should the SHA continue with its plans to review Hinchingbrooke in isolation? I believe not.
The strategic review should be a review of the long term local medical needs - not a short term cost cutting exercise.
I have also written to Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Health, expressing my grave concerns regarding how the review is being managed."