DUE to lack of Trust advertising, attendance levels at the initial consultation meetings regarding the future of Tatton Ward were poor, and the oft-repeated mantra that ‘it was on the website’ was trotted out as an explanation.

But surely to access information on a website you have to know it has been posted in the first place?

Unsurprisingly, therefore, this method of alerting the public to the fact that a consultation was taking place proved totally inadequate. However following efforts by concerned volunteers of ‘Cheshire area for Cheshire Action’, who distributed posters and flyers advertising the meetings, attendance levels at subsequent meetings in Knutsford rose dramatically.

But the meeting held in Holmes Chapel had no takers and the final meeting in Wilmslow was attended by two people, thereby proving the inadequacy of using the internet as the main source of information.

The overwhelming majority of those who did attend the meetings indicated that Tatton Ward should be re-opened, otherwise access to intermediate bed care, (with the logistical difficulties and inconvenience for patients and relatives) will be skewed to over-crowded facilities in Congleton or Macclesfield, and our corner of East Cheshire will continue to be left with no provision.

The public meetings were concluded some weeks ago, and the matter will now be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on March 7 at 10am at the offices of Cheshire East Council offices, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach.

Although the public cannot participate in these meetings (apart from a few minutes allotted to public speaking time before things get under way), I would urge everyone interested in the future of intermediate bed care in Knutsford to attend.

Hopefully the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will, when making its recommendations, take in to proper consideration public opinion on this matter.

We have already seen too many bureaucratic decisions inflicted on Knutsford, such as the disposal of the War Memorial hospital, which went ahead, despite a petition signed by 8,000 residents against that proposal.

Macclesfield Hospital is conducting another consultation regarding foundation trust status, the aim of which is to attract more public participation and co-operation in local health provision services.

Two of those public consultation meetings, held in Winsford and Northwich, attracted only two people between them. If the bid for Foundation Trust status is to succeed they should give full consideration to the wishes of the people of Knutsford and the surrounding area, who feel it is vital to maintain intermediate bed services in their part of East Cheshire at Tatton Ward. The conclusions drawn will be discussed at the East Cheshire NHS Trust board meeting on March 28 between 2pm and 4.30pm at St John’s Church Hall, Knutsford.

I would urge concerned residents to attend, and arrive early to talk to Board members. Stay after the meeting to talk to Board members because there is no public question/comment time in the agenda.

MABEL TAYLOR Malvern Road, Knutsford