Campaigners delighted after Labour intervention helps hospital rethink pool decision

27th September 2018

Campaigners delighted after Labour intervention helps hospital rethink pool decision

Local residents told that they would be refused entry to Southport Hospital swimming pool are jubilant after a change of heart by NHS officials.

The decision comes after intervention from Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for the town, Liz Savage, who backed the campaign and met with the Chief Executive of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, Silas Nicholls, to press the case.

Labour activists also gave practical support for a petition which hundreds of local residents have now signed to keep access to the pool, which was scheduled to end in November.

Describing her meeting with the trust’s Chief Executive as “highly constructive”, Liz Savage said credit had to be given for his being so receptive to residents’ concerns:

“Silas Nicholls was already aware of our support for the campaign and the issues we’ve helped raise. He freely admitted that communication with residents could have been better on this and very much wanted to find a resolution that works both for both the campaigners and the hospital.

There are still some areas that need to be addressed and solutions found but he seems confident that access will be retained for those with a need for it. I’m glad he has listened and is so willing to act on the concerns we raised.”

The Chief Executive has since met with some of those directly affected and the situation will now be reviewed with issues such as appropriate charges for use and access on health grounds to be discussed and finalised. Nearly 700 people have now signed the petition calling for access to continue. Labour Councillor Bill Welsh also subsequently raised the issue.

Rick Halsall, whose wife Carol suffers from MS and whose story was featured in the petition, said he was “delighted” by the news:

“This is a great step forward. Carol desperately needs access to the unique facilities that Southport Hospital pool offers. We are very grateful for the assistance provided by Liz and Southport Labour and also for the support of local residents. We couldn’t have got this far without all their efforts.”

“The hospital has done the right thing and we now look forward to working with them on finalising the details. I’d ask people to keep signing the petition though until we have a firm solution, it all helps.”

Carol’s and Rick’s story and petition can be found here: https://bit.ly/2M28Edv