WITH the total number of signatures now standing at 114,603, the organiser of the Surrey Petition, which was handed into 10 Downing Street seven weeks ago, is unhappy with the lack of governmental response. In a heartfelt statement, Ken Callanan told The Herald: "I am disappointed that neither the former Prime Minister or the previous Health Secretary saw fit to respond to such a large and genuine petition from the people." With the absence of a reply, Mr Callanan sent a letter to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown in June which has since been answered by Paul Larkin of the Department of Health. Mr Callanan said: "[It] is not very helpful but it does refer to St Peter's Royal Surrey and Frimley Park hospitals. Although not surprised, I feel very disappointed at this response, especially for all who signed the Surrey Petitition and all who helped it on its way. I have therefore written a joint letter to the Prime Minister and Alan Johnson, Health Secretary." In his letter, Mr Larkin outlines that there are three possible scenarios for the Royal Surrey. They are: • That care closer to home should be strengthened. • That either the Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH) or St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, should lose their full accident and emergency status. Under either option, some acute activity (specific acute specialites that might be affected are not known at this stage) would be undertaken at the other hospital, thereby underpinning clinical and financial sustainability. If one of the hospitals ceases to offer a speciality, patients will be reallocated. Exactly which hospital they will go to cannot be predicted but, given local geography, it is likely that the majority would go to Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley and/or whichever out of the RSCH and St Peter's remains unchanged; or • That a network of care is created between the RSCH, St Peter's Hospital and Frimley park Hospital. This would see different hosptials sub-specialising in certain aspects of actue care and may have a less significant impact on individual acute hospital sites. However, this option has yet to demonstrate that it can achieve the financial objectives. Mr Larkin points out that the final decision will be subject to scrutiny from the local authority overview and scrutiny committee (OSC), which is made up of elected local councillors. If the OSC determines that the consultation has been inadequate or that the proposal itself is flawed, it can refer the decsion to the Secretary of State. Mr Callanan had praise for the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Menzies Campbell who made a timely response to the petition signatures and accompanying letter. In his reply, the LibDem leader shared the concerns of Mr Callanan regarding the state of the NHS and the closure of local hospitals due to constant restructuring. Sir Menzies went on to assure him that the Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign on the issue in Parliament and in the local communities. There were 112,754 handed into Downing Street on June 1, with nearly 2,000 received since then. Mr Callanan said that any more signatures received will be forwarded until they cease to return.
