Harwich Town Council is to hold a special meeting at Long Meadows Community Centre on Friday 11th October to express its concerns about the future of Harwich’s maternity services to local MP, Bernard Jenkin.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will commence at 12 noon.
Harwich Town Council previously met with two representatives of the Trust to discuss their concerns and Labour councillors were extremely unhappy with the meeting. At the following meeting of Harwich Town Council Labour’s Garry Calver informed members that he had found the representatives of the Trust to be aggressive, rude and unsympathetic and that he now felt the only route to protecting existing maternity services at Harwich Hospital was to seek the direct involvement of Bernard Jenkin. He proposed that Harwich Town Council seek a meeting with the MP to express its concerns and his proposal was seconded by Labour colleague, Pam Morrison before being passed by the council.
Since the meeting was arranged, Ivan Henderson has become aware of further short notice closures to Harwich’s maternity unit and has written to the Trust seeking assurances and clarification as to the situation.
The Labour group on Tendring District Council proposed a motion to ensure that TDC adopted a policy of opposing any reduction to maternity services at either Harwich or Clacton hospitals and, although the Conservatives attempted to weaken this stance, sufficient members supported our motion to the point where we were able to ensure a wording was passed that met Labour’s demand.
All local Labour councillors are committed to doing everything possible to retain all existing services at Harwich’s maternity unit and wish to place on record our thanks and support to all of its staff for the wonderful work they are doing.
For further information contact: Harwich Labour Press Officer Garry Calver
Agenda Extraordinary Full Council 11 October 13
