NHS chief praises threatened wards (From Stroud News and Journal)

NHS chief praises threatened wards

COTSWOLD NHS chief Richard James has praised Stroud Maternity for providing a first class, cost-effective service - but says this may not be enough to save it.

And he revealed stark choices would have to be made about any new drugs yet to be made widely available this summer - including breast cancer drug Herceptin.

Speaking exclusively to the SNJ last night, Mr James, chief executive of the Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust, said all Gloucestershire midwife-led units may yet be axed.

"Stroud Maternity does look very cost effective to run but the question we are asking is do you necessarily need it and is it cheaper to put to put all midwife-led services in one place," he said.

Mr James also reiterated that Stroud's Weavers Croft mental unit has an uncertain future.

As part of the countywide NHS shake-up, proposals exist to reduce the number of such services from five down to two or even just one.

"It has been identified that it may not get one of the two units," he said.

"It's certainly possible it could close but I think there will be a consultation."

At a separate PCT meeting in Stroud Subscription Rooms yesterday morning it was revealed patients in Gloucestershire could be denied groundbreaking new drugs.