Hospital vision

THE man charged with the task of overseeing the future development of Newark Hospital has made it clear that the place needs a vision.

Mr Martin Wakeley, the new chief executive at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust, says he is looking to work with people to draw up ambitious, but realistic, plans for the future.

One of the first items on his agenda is improving the transport links between Newark and King’s Mill hospitals.

A direct bus between the two sites would go a long way to easing the perennial problem that Newark patients and their families face in travelling the 23 awkward miles to Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Mr Wakeley’s forward-thinking could also see technological advances at Newark which may save patients having to contemplate a journey elsewhere.

Telemedicine was talked about right at the start of the healthcare review as a potentially exciting development, but was overshadowed by the debate over A & E.

Mr Wakeley does not want to dwell on the past, although he may be forced to if the Health Secretary, Mr Andrew Lansley, agrees to Nottinghamshire County Council’s request for a full independent review of the changes at Newark.

His obvious passion for the NHS and providing the best experience possible for patients, backed up by an impressive track record, provides hope of a brighter future for the town’s hospital.

Residents who fear for the long-term viability of the hospital need assurance that Newark really is at the heart of Sherwood Forest’s plans.

Mr Wakeley has said all the right things so far. We now wait with interest to see whether he can deliver.