We have lived near Shipston-on-Stour for 17 years. We moved to South Warwickshire from Dorset because of my job.
When we moved, we found a delightful town with local shops, churches, primary and secondary schools. There was a medical centre and a hospital. It had opticians and dentists, a fire station and a library – everything we needed. An idyllic place to visit from our village, a few miles away.
Four years ago a decision was taken to knock down the Ellen Badger hospital despite the very good environment it provided for locals as well as patients like us from nearby towns and villages. There was a further decision to create a new medical centre with a well-being centre with up to 100 rooms in the land where the hospital stood.
Then the pandemic arrived and residents were all just focusing on keeping alive.
Apparently, during those two years planning permission was granted for the two new centres.
Nothing, however, seemed to be happening. But a week ago, we read in the Stratford Herald that the new non-existent medical centre would have cost 50% more in materials, building and other expenses. From a £4 million cost, there was no way that a further £2million could be found!
New housing makes up 50% of our town, but we find ourselves with our hospital demolished and plans to replace it abandoned. Only the original historic medical centre remains.
The supposed new medical centre which will not now be built!
As in every other city and town in the country, the NHS is in a bad way with over 40,000 nurses needed. Many, of course, left the UK from 2016 onwards to return to EU. It is not just nurses we lack but doctors, ambulances, paramedics and more.
We need your help! The press in our country is dominated by billionaire-owned media, many offshore and avoiding paying tax. We are a citizen journalism publication but still have significant costs. If you believe in what we do, please consider subscribing to the Bylines Gazette 🙏
