Over 1,700 respond to Derbyshire healthcare consultation

Cavendish Hospital would be affected by the changes proposed in the Better Care Closer to Home consultation.

If plans go ahead, specialist mental health beds on the Spencer Ward at Buxton’s Cavendish Hospital will go and the number of beds on Fenton Ward could be halved, with people being treated at home or emergency admissions made to Chesterfield.

A spokesperson for 21c Joined Up Care said: “We want to thank everyone who gave their time to consider our proposals to improve the healthcare we are able to provide to the people of North Derbyshire in the future.

“More than 1,700 people have now responded and 1,500 people took part in the public meetings over three months, and hundreds more phoned or wrote in or contributed in other ways such as petitions.

“The feedback received is now with the University of East Anglia for independent analysis and will be carefully considered.

“We wouldn’t wish to pre-judge the outcome so cannot comment at this stage on feedback received or any alternative plans put forward.

“We will now carefully consider all views and suggestions received and reflect on proposals before setting out the next steps towards our goal which is finding the best way to provide the right care in the right place for older people in northern Derbyshire.”